Joining forces to tackle the climate crisis. Tech Zero
By Garreth Griffith, Chief Impact Officer at Habito
Today is an exciting day. It’s the day we announce that Habito is a founding member of the Tech Zero taskforce. Tech Zero is a group of UK tech businesses who’ve made a commitment to take bold steps to tackle the climate crisis and make the UK the top global destination for green investment.
Along with allplants, Bulb, Babylon, Citymapper, Faculty, GoCardless, Hopin, MoneySuperMarket Group, OLIO, Onfido, Revolut, Starling Bank, Wise, what3words and industry body Tech Nation, we’re working in partnership with the government’s Council for Sustainable Business and the UK’s Net Zero Business Champion, Andrew Griffith MP.
Things will kick off at the end of March, when we’ll hold a launch summit to agree bold commitments to reach net zero, boost green investment and help consumers make greener choices. The aim is then to get at least 1000 UK tech companies to sign up before COP26, the UN Climate Conference being held in Glasgow later this year.
Finding our Purpose
As a certified B Corp, we at Habito have already made a legal commitment to consider people and planet in all that we do. Being a B Corp is about being a Better Business, from every angle. Targeting net zero, and helping our customers do the same, is a fundamental part of that commitment.
Ever since getting certified last year, we’ve thought deeply about the positive impact our business can make. We’ve decided to focus on what we’re calling sustainable home improvement.
Sustainable Home Improvement
In 2019, residential homes contributed 19% of the UK’s total CO2 emissions, mostly because of heating inefficiencies. But with nearly 40% of homes in England built before World War 2, and older homes more likely to be inefficient, reducing emissions is no simple task. Many homeowners don’t realise the impact their homes have on climate change and the solutions available.
We’re already having conversations with our customers at those vital moments where they’re buying a new home or upgrading the home they live in. That means we have a fantastic opportunity to give them the information and tools they need to understand the issues and make a real difference.
There’s lots more to come on Tech Zero and our sustainable home improvement efforts through the year. We’ll be looking forward to the end of March and beyond to November, when leaders from all over the world congregate in Glasgow — maybe even in person — to agree on the next set of bold global commitments to fight climate change and inequality.
