Environmental Sustainability
Environmental Philosophy
Perficient’s environmental sustainability philosophy focuses on actively engaging with its employees to leverage remote services whenever possible, reducing the company’s carbon footprint, and ensuring its suppliers commit to providing their services in an environmental sustainability manner whenever possible.
A Commitment to Our Planet
Certifications
Perficient currently maintains the following certifications:
ISO 14001:2015
- This standard demonstrates an organization’s commitment to sustainability, compliance with applicable law, and continuous improvement in its environmental management systems.
- Perficient’s environmental management systems for its largest office in Colombia, South America and for its global digital IT consulting services are both certified under this internationally recognized standard.
LEED Gold Certificate
- The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. Click here to learn more about LEED certification.
- Perficient’s office in Somerville, Massachusetts was awarded a LEED Gold certificate by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for its environmentally efficient design, construction, and operation practices.
Commitment to Recycling
As a digital consulting firm, Perficient understandably purchases large numbers of computers and other electronic devices. Perficient lessens the environmental impact of these devices by reusing, recycling, and upcyling its end-of-life electronics and computers responsibly in partnership with an external vendor. Perficient has also implemented a green purchasing policy for office supplies, substantially reduced single-use drinkware, established recycling sites throughout its offices, and created informational programs to educate employees on effective ways to recycle.
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
Perficient actively works with its clients to reduce travel associated with these engagements and in turn reduce its carbon footprint. This is possible due to investments in new technology that facilitates high quality remote collaboration between and among Perficient’s employees, contractors, clients, partners, and other stakeholders. Not only does remote work decrease the carbon footprint associated with travel, but it also allows Perficient to decrease the number of printers and associated office supplies.
The Environmental Impact of Cryptocurrency
Perficient recognizes that “mining” cryptocurrency consumes materially more energy than most other forms of currency. This is one reason why Perficient does not accept any form of cryptocurrency as payment from its clients for services rendered.
Looking Towards the Future - Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Carbon Footprint
GHG is a blanket term that refers to several different gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming in varying degrees. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies GHG emitted by organizations into categories referred to as “Scopes.” Scope 1 refers to GHG emissions that are directly emitted from sources that are controlled or owned by an organization (e.g., HVAC units or vehicles). Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions which result from an organization’s purchase of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling. Scope 3 emissions are also indirect GHG emissions resulting from a third party’s Scope 1 or 2 emissions which indirectly impact an organization.
Perficient is actively engaging partners and potential partners to evaluate its carbon footprint/emissions and identify opportunities to utilize renewable energy. This work will help us better understand the environmental impact of operations, inform a roadmap for future sustainability efforts, and provide our stakeholders with greater transparency.
While Perficient works to further understand the impact of its Scope 3 GHG emissions, these emissions have already decreased due to reduced business travel and employee commuting compared to pre COVID-19 levels. As noted above, Perficient continues to leverage remote work whenever possible in connection with providing client services and in its corporate functions.
Supporting Employees’ Sustainability Efforts in Their Own Communities
Perficient supports its employees and the environment by identifying and facilitating opportunities for employees to recycle more, waste less, and engage with other environmentally focused volunteer opportunities.