Over the last twenty years or more, most governments have gently changed our attitudes and behaviours using nudging. How many people would regard it as OK these days to drink and drive, smoke in front of children, or spit in public? In thirty years’ time I can envisage young people being upset at older people tucking into steak and chips. This is the way the world moves.
As far as technology is concerned, modern laptops and networks are far more efficient than their older counterparts and the WEEE directive from a few years ago ensures that we have a responsibility to recycle our old tech. Technology uses many components which can be broken down and re-used, and this should take place. So if your company is upgrading, make sure the recycling (or upcycling – more on this in another post) is done properly!
Another thing that the UK government has done is to nudge companies over the last few years to consider their corporate social responsibility. This can range from giving employees time off to work in the local community to developing new ways of doing things to reduce their environmental impact. In fact, the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013, makes it incumbent on companies to report what they have done unless they are exempt.
One of the points made is to consider the environmental impact of a company’s suppliers too, and that is something all companies can consider and change suppliers if they are able to.
When we designed the 365R service one of the targets was to provide the set up and support (as far as possible) by remote, so reducing the mileage and emissions of the company.
The government in the UK has also developed the super deduction tax, which is available from April 2021 to March 2023 and is designed to both kickstart the economy after the pandemic and to improve the nation’s technology and machinery to make it more efficient and environmentally kind.
Any qualifying purchase, which includes new computers and ancillary equipment, can have 130% of its cost set against corporation tax in the year of its purchase rather than the normal smaller amounts allowed over the lifetime of the asset.
As you would expect, we can help! We can advise you on how to improve your technology in a sustainable way, how to recycle your existing equipment, and how to claim the 130% super deduction tax against at least your equipment, and possibly your software and services if you have a contract (we will put you in touch with an expert).
Diana Catton – by-line and other articles
