RELEX environmental policy

At RELEX, we are proud to be driving a positive impact by helping our customers reduce their carbon footprints. Based on our estimates, the yearly positive environmental impact is over 950 000 tons CO2. That does not mean that we can overlook the impacts of our own operations, which in 2022 caused 3777 tons of CO2. For details, please see our Sustainability Report 2023.

This policy has been created in an effort to minimize our negative environmental impacts. It is divided into our major emission categories and lists the actions and guidelines that we, as a company and individuals, are undertaking to minimize these emissions. Any remaining emissions will be offset on a yearly basis. To raise awareness on this topic and to engage RELEXians all over the globe, we are running various programs. In 2022 highlights included starting up a Sustainability Champion program and running a company-wide sustainability challenge.

As we are in a rapid growth stage, reducing total emissions is practically impossible. Therefore, our emission intensity (CO2/revenue) is a more suitable metric to track. In 2022, we saw a rise in total emissions compared to 2021 levels due to business traveling reaching a new post-pandemic level. At the same time, we were able to reduce our emissions in other emission categories. From 2023 onwards, we are committed to reducing our emissions intensity on a yearly basis.

The yearly updates of this Policy are communicated to all employees.

Cloud Computing	For our private cloud we use colocation Data Centers that are 100% powered with renewable energy. Our servers have a Gold Star – EPA Energy classification and we are committed to handling the servers’ end-of-life recycling responsibly/according to WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU standards. For our public cloud, we will actively work to reduce emissions, deepening partnerships with providers/services that have committed to using renewable energy sources.
Hybrid Work	RELEXians have (and have always had) the opportunity to work 100% remotely in roles where applicable. Our offices are also fully equipped to support hybrid meetings.   All of our offices are located close to public transportation, and it is also one criteria when searching for new office spaces. Additionally, we increasingly offer RELEXians opportunities to work in hubs, which enables us to commute less.
Business Travel	We encourage all RELEXians to be thoughtful when it comes to business traveling. We acknowledge that while traveling can often be replaced by online meetings, sometimes the face-to-face interactions are necessary. To support RELEXians in this, we have provided internal guidelines and recommendations for booking business travel.
Office spaces	RELEX chooses renewable electricity in all locations where us as the tenants have this opportunity to do so. In cases where we don’t, we primarily negotiate with the landlords and aim to leverage them into choosing renewable electricity sources, and secondly purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Currently, 100% of RELEXians work in offices where we have secured renewable electricity. Our goal is to recycle in all of our offices in accordance or better than the local best practices. Our offices have only reusable dishware and cutlery in use. We have plans to look into the energy efficiency of all of our offices’ and the ways in which we could enhance them. We always take environmental aspects into consideration when choosing new office spaces.
Personal IT equipment	RELEXians use laptop computers that are mostly leased but also in some cases purchased. When leased, the provider is responsible for the end life of the devices and when purchased RELEX recycles all electronic components as well as used accessories.   According to our lifecycle policies, the minimum lifespan of a laptop is 3-4 years depending on the model.

This Policy has been approved by the RELEX Leadership Team.

Last updated May 2023.