RM shortlisted for CRN’s Sustainable IT Solutions Provider of the Year

LONDON, 27th June 2022 – We’re delighted that our focus upon sustainability – with our commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2035 – has been recognised by the sector, leading to RM being shortlisted for CRN’s Sustainable IT Solutions Provider of the Year in their 2022 annual awards. This nomination reflects RM’s wholehearted commitment to innovation in sustainable education technology.

As an organisation, we could not be prouder of the hard work colleagues across the company are putting in to addressing the earth’s most pressing cause – protecting our future.

It is a crucial step that we take as RM – as a leader in the education sector for 50 years – to be seen as an organisation that recognises that we all have a role to play in securing our future – whether you are a large supplier like us, an academy trust, a school, a teacher or a student. It has never been so important that our industry makes tangible steps towards a greener, more sustainable, world.

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) recently warned that environmental tipping points are fast approaching in the UK, and we know the risks this poses to future generations if we do not act with urgency.

It’s a journey

For a company like RM, it’s about constantly asking ourselves what we can do next, how can we improve and reach net zero. That’s why last year in our 2021 annual report, we looked at our current progress and set out our future plans for becoming net zero by 2035.

So far, we've made pretty good progress. Our office in Abingdon is solar powered and our new distribution centre at Harrier Park in Nottinghamshire – when it is completed later this year – is expected to greatly reduce our overall energy usage. The latter has been built to cut-down utility consumption with heat retention glass, rainwater harvesting and passive infra-red LED lighting.

Our technology business encourages schools, trusts and awarding bodies to make more use of the digital age – for example in avoiding printing off worksheets or by taking and marking assessments online. Our TTS and Consortium brands – when designing new products – focus on introducing new materials with smaller environmental impact, and their reliance on virgin plastics has been reduced by launching products that contain plant-based materials and wastes including Eco Boulders, Eco Cones, Eco Sand & Water Kits and Build a World.

To be net zero – decarbonising through energy efficiency, replacing fossil fuels with renewable and low carbon energy, dematerialisation, digitisation, reducing material losses and avoidance of waste – is essential. To achieve this, RM will begin trialling a carbon offsetting scheme with Ecologi that, if successful, will then be offered to customers.

But we’re not stopping there!

While the work we do internally is very important, we have an important role as advocates – amongst future generations. Across the board, we’re striving for supply chain sustainability. We want our suppliers to reduce their environmental impacts. This is why we plan to reduce packaging and introduce re-usable packaging solutions to help eliminate waste from the supply chain. It’s about collaboration – educating one another on what we can all do to make a difference.

RM at the net zero steering wheel

Successful businesses have a responsibility to be at the forefront of driving positive change in their communities. But, becoming more sustainable is not a temporary or short-term undertaking. It’s a long process and requires a commitment from the very top of the organisation, with champions in every department. And whilst that may be daunting for some, with every challenge comes opportunity.

It’s a great honour to have been shortlisted for this award, and we are up against some great organisations. Whatever the result, we will continue to work hard on our net-zero goals and look forward to the next steps in our journey.

CRN’s Awards will be announced on the Thursday 15th of September