International data firm warns businesses not to neglect environmental responsibilities

WANdisco, the Silicon Valley and Sheffield-based data software company, has warned, “Businesses in all sectors will lose their social right to operate if they neglect their environmental responsibilities”, as it adopts the Betterworld.Solutions policy to prevent global warming.

The code of conduct, which was developed and launched by fellow South Yorkshire business AESSEAL, prompts the board to prioritise sustainable projects over other capital programmes with a similar return on investment. With Betterworld.Solutions aiming to show how climate friendly-projects can also be business-friendly.

It invites staff, suppliers and other stakeholders to submit proposals for sustainable projects for consideration by directors and aims to show how climate-friendly projects can also be business-friendly.

The policy states the following:

• Any sustainability project will be given priority over any other capital investment with a similar return on investment
• Any sustainability project with a reasonable chance of getting a return on investment within four years or less should be brought to the attention of the board
• A written decision on any such project is mandatory within three months of project submission
• All global business heads have local spending authority and any sustainability project with a higher value should be immediately referred to the board
• Directors undertake to use their corporate or personal presence to influence policymakers to legislate the requirement for such a policy for all businesses with more than 180 co-workers
• Current or potential supplier input is also welcomed.

David Richards, founder and CEO of WANdisco and policy owner, said: “We are proud to have adopted the Betterworld.Solutions approach to prevent global warming.

“These simple steps can encourage companies to do the right thing for the environment and get a good return on investment.

“We recognise the health of the planet is essential not just to business but to species survival and urge other companies to join up.

Chris Rea said managing director at AESSEAL who founded Betterworld.Solutions said: “We welcome this show of support from WANdisco and founder David Richards. If enough businesses act, together we can slow down or help to prevent global warming.”