A screenshot showing the carbon calculator at Carbonfund.org
(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Hosting provider Steadfast Networks (www.steadfast.net) announced this week that it had introduced a new environmental initiative by acquiring carbon offset credits covering both its technology and its office output.
The company says it is acquiring the credits to offset staff commuting, office energy use, core infrastructure, networking equipment and the infrastructure associated with shared web hosting, VPS hosting and backup services.
Steadfast says it has been certified “carbon free” by Carbonfund.org (www.carbonfund.org), an organization that works with businesses to help them reduce their energy usage and footprint.
While there is some question as to whether acquiring carbon offset credits is enough to constitute a truly “green” hosting offering, and some consider the source of the power being consumed by the facility to be of primary importance, it is pretty indisputable that some good is being done by companies spending on offsets. And for some companies operating where renewable power is scarce, offsets are a popular option.
“Moving steadily forward in the 21st century does not mean trampling all over our natural resources, so we have teamed up with Carbonfund.org and implemented a variety of green initiative programs to help preserve our natural resources,” says Karl Zimmerman, CEO of Steadfast, quoted in the company’s press release. “The same high quality and exceptional service Steadfast Networks stands for in our managed servers, colocation hosting services, and web hosting services is the standard we aspire to for maintaining a healthy environment.”
Steadfast says that beyond buying the carbon offsets, the company has taken several other green steps, including encouraging employees to commute by more environmentally friendly means, or to work from home in some cases. The company says more than 90 percent of its equipment is provided by local vendors, cutting down on emissions created by transportation. The company also orders equipment without packing materials, and recycles paper and cardboard, as well as server equipments.
Steadfast says customers can choose to use the company’s offset services while placing their order, or by contacting the company.
Earlier this week, web hosting provider Domain.com announced a similar company-wide effort to offset its carbon footprint and provide a greener hosting offering.
About Liam Eagle
Liam Eagle has worked as a contributor to the Web Host Industry Review since its inception in 2000, and as editor since 2003. He has been editor of the WHIR's print magazine since its launch. His daily involvement in the gathering and reporting of Web hosting news and his regular interaction with Web hosting leaders gives him an uncommonly broad appreciation of the issues and tends facing the business. Through his WHIR blog, Liam spots Web hosting trends and offers opinions on the industry-wide impacts of major developments and the motivation behind big announcements. Follow him on Twitter @liameagle
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