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Why sustainability couldn’t wait any longer?
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time — and we knew we had a responsibility to act. As a consulting firm built on the value of nonstop innovation, sustainability couldn’t be a side project. It had to be central to our mission. That’s why, in 2021, we achieved carbon neutrality — not over a decade, but in a matter of months. What we learned changed more than our emissions. It transformed how we work, lead, and help others do the same.
Understanding our impact — and taking ownership of it
We started with a simple yet important question: what does it truly mean to take responsibility for our environmental impact? To answer that, we needed -data, not assumptions. That’s why we launched an internal initiative led by our in-house experts to measure our carbon footprint — covering everything from office energy use to travel and vendor operations. External partners supported us later in validating and fine-tuning our findings.
As part of our journey to become a carbon neutral company, we reengineered our internal systems to drive greater transparency and traceability across operations. By integrating SAP S/4HANA with SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), we unlocked real-time visibility into emission sources, resource consumption, and sustainability opportunities — laying the foundation for smarter, faster, and more scalable decisions.
This data-driven approach marked a pivotal step in our sustainability transformation in consulting. One of our most impactful actions was the launch of an internal CO₂ Monitor, piloted with our largest legal entity. The insights were eye-opening. While we anticipated travel to be a major contributor, we didn’t expect it to account for nearly 90% of total emissions in non-COVID years — with 75% from air travel alone.
The shift to remote project delivery during the pandemic validated that sustainable delivery models are not only feasible but also effective — cutting travel-related emissions by about 70%. Meanwhile, office energy accounted for roughly 10% of emissions, and the carbon footprint of devices like laptops and screens remained under 5%.
These insights informed a clear roadmap on how to become carbon neutral:
- Minimize business travel wherever feasible
- Transition from combustion engine to 100% electric company vehicles
- Prioritize rail over flights and road trips
- Power offices using renewable energy sources
- Offset residual emissions via certified climate action projects
Our story highlights how corporate sustainability in SAP ecosystems can drive real, measurable impact — not only reducing emissions but also redefining how we work, collaborate, and lead in the consulting space.
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact as much as possible. And we believe that “less bad” isn’t good enough. Only net zero — or better — will do.
A focused playbook for fast, tangible results
1. Smarter ways to reduce emissions
We optimized our office energy use, rethought how and when we travel, and built systems that support sustainability from the ground up. These weren’t compromises — they were strategic shifts that made our operations leaner, more agile, and fully aligned with our values.
2. High impact offset projects
For the emissions we could not avoid, we invested in internationally certified, third-party verified climate protection projects. From renewable energy generation to global reforestation, these projects are not only good for offsetting the carbon but also generate long-term environmental and social benefits.
3. Third-party verification
To ensure full transparency and credibility, we pursued official certification. Our carbon neutrality has been verified by TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH in accordance with the PAS 2060 standard. This information is detailed in our LinkedIn article, reinforcing our commitment to international benchmarks and trust.
By following this structured, data-driven approach, we became a certified carbon-neutral company in 2021 — faster than even we anticipated.
Why it matters — to us, and to our clients Going carbon neutral wasn’t just an environmental win. It was a strategic one.
For our clients — many of whom are navigating their own ESG journeys — our action reinforces that we’re not just advisors. We’re partners who understand the realities and complexities of building sustainable enterprises.
For our people, it changed the way we work. Being part of a purpose-led organization fosters pride, engagement, and a deeper sense of belonging. Sustainability became something we all own — not just something a small team manages.
And for our business, it’s driven better decision-making. More efficient resource use. Greater agility. And alignment with the values that matter most to our clients and employees alike.
What’s Next: Beyond carbon neutrality
We know this is only the beginning. Becoming carbon neutral laid the foundation — but we’re building further. We’re now working to decarbonize our operations more deeply, embed sustainability into every project, and help clients use SAP to do the same.
With solutions like SAP Product Footprint Management and SAP Sustainability Control Tower, we’re enabling organizations to track, reduce, and report on emissions across their value chains — and unlock new opportunities in the process.
Because this isn’t about maintaining momentum. It’s about accelerating it.
A call to lead — not follow
To any business that’s still thinking about when to start — our experience is proof that it doesn’t have to take years. It takes commitment. It takes clarity. And it takes action.
We didn’t wait for perfect conditions. We didn’t wait for external pressure. We acted because the world needs leadership — and because we believe business can be a powerful force for good.
Final thoughts
Sustainability isn’t a side project for us — it’s embedded in how we work, think, and lead. It shapes how we operate, innovate, and drive impact across every engagement.
Want to learn how to accelerate your sustainability journey with SAP?
Connect with our experts — let’s build a carbon-neutral future together.
We’re proud of the progress we’ve made. But this is just the beginning. The road ahead is full of opportunity — and we’re stepping into it with purpose and conviction.
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