AdVaes® Barometer

A barometer on the sustainable environmental actions of IT vendors

Aware of the impact of their activities on the environment and biodiversity, IT companies are committed, to varying degrees, to reducing their impacts and adopting more sustainable approaches. How many are developing ‘real’ strategies to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions? How many are investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects? How many are rethinking their supply chains to minimise e-waste? How many are even rethinking their business model?

We lack benchmark studies to help better assess their environmental sustainability maturity and the results of their actions. The AdVaes® Barometer pursues this objective. It tracks the environmental indicators of IT vendors and assesses the progress they are making in reducing their impact.

In addition to taking initiatives to measure the impact of their solutions, IT vendors must also be exemplary in terms of environmental practices at company level and commit to solid, concrete action plans.

The AdVaes® Barometer aims to encourage the French IT ecosystem to adopt more eco-responsible practices and to promote transparency. It consists of:

• A study providing aggregated data on the environmental indicators of at least 100 IT vendors analysed by AdVaes, at different stages of maturity;
  
• Company profiles of IT vendors committed to eco-responsible actions. By presenting their commitments, actions and results, these providers act as role models for the ecosystem. They have all agreed to have their actions assessed according to AdVaes criteria and to have a score revealed in their profile.

AdVaes draws on its expertise in software and IT services, cloud computing, data management and digital sustainability to carry out its assessments in a neutral and rigorous manner.

Environmental indicators analysed

The data collected and analysed covers 7 key segments: CSR/ESG organisation, GHG emissions, energy consumption, use of renewable and low-carbon energy, water consumption, electronic waste, information technology practices and use, and certifications.

Also assessed:

• Circular economy processes.
  
• Transport and business travel initiatives.
  
• Actions in favour of soft mobility.
• Equipment lifespan.
  
• Data centre efficiency indicators (PUE, WUE, etc.).
  
• Sustainable practices in data centres.
  
• Use of recycled or reconditioned IT equipment.

Methodology

The data used to compile the AdVaes® Barometer are collected on the basis of a multi-phase research and analysis process using AdVaes' own methodology. The results are based on at least 100 IT vendors whose data and information are processed by AdVaes analysts.

AdVaes uses a dual methodology:

1) Research in AdVaes' databases, and more specifically in its online information service on ESG indicators of IT vendors.

2) Online survey of IT vendors conducted by AdVaes between June and October. AdVaes only takes into account responses from identified IT vendors who answered more than 70% of the questions. Before being analysed, the information provided is validated by AdVaes analysts.

Sponsorship

For IT vendors who sponsor the Barometer, AdVaes analysts draw up a summary profile of the company in order to assess its actions and efforts in terms of eco-responsibility.

Each sheet provides key data and presents the company's major commitments.

An assessment is carried out using AdVaes' own methodology for 5 key impact categories: Greenhouse gas emissions, energy, water, electronic waste and internal use of information technologies. For each of these categories, 5 sub-areas are examined and scores, ranging from 0.5 points to 3 points, are awarded according to their impact on the environment. These scores are based on information provided by the providers and available to AdVaes via other third-party sources.

5% of sponsorship revenue donated to Let's Catch Carbon

AdVaes supports the non-profit association Let's Catch Carbon , which is working to respond to the climate emergency by promoting agricultural transformation through agroforestry in rural coffee-producing regions of the subtropical belt.

AdVaes has undertaken to donate 50 euros to the association for each company sponsoring the 2024 edition of its Barometer, i.e. approximately 5% of the amount of each sponsorship. The company also undertakes to pay 2 euros for each survey questionnaire completed. These donations will be paid to the association in December 2024 and allocated to actions in 2025.