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Conapto offers secure and flexible data center colocation as well as cloud connectivity – all with a focus on sustainability. Switching to renewable electricity, recycling heat from data centers, and recycling electronics are just some of the initiatives Conapto is pursuing to become a more sustainable company.

“Prioritizing sustainability is not only important for Conapto but also for our customers and society at large. Thanks to our great partnership with GoClimate, which enables us to become even more knowledgeable about sustainability issues, we can become CO2 transparent and together create a more sustainable colocation industry with a healthy future mindset,” says Christoffer Linder, Sustainability Project Manager at Conapto.

Strive to reduce emissions

Since the beginning of its journey in 2008, with the establishment of the data center Stockholm 2 South and the decision to focus on sustainability issues, Conapto has continuously strived to reduce its emissions. This commitment led to a switch from Fortum to Vattenfall in 2021, which enables the use of 100% renewable energy from water and wind, as well as the ability to match energy consumption on an hourly basis through Vattenfall’s 24/7 matching system.

This system displays production hour by hour and not only increases transparency but also ensures that Conapto can fulfill its commitment to 100% renewable electricity every hour of the day, all year round. The only exception is during potential power cuts, where backup generators are used. Since 2022, the company has invested in new generators that enable the use of Ecopar diesel, a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel.

Energy in the data halls is being reused as heat

Another central part of Conapto’s sustainability work is their focus on heat recovery. The collaboration with Stockholm Exergi and Sollentuna Energi and Miljö enables the redirection of residual heat from the data center back to the local district heating network, which contributes to, among other things, recycled and cost-effective heat for residential homes. The goal is to reuse up to 90% of the energy fed into the data halls.

Conapto’s sustainability initiatives also extend to its environmental and energy management systems, which are certified according to ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. The certifications testify to Conapto’s systematic approach to integrating environmental and energy management into their operations, facilitating continuous improvement of energy performance.In addition to these measures, Conapto also recycles electronics in collaboration with Stena Recycling, which has saved more than 350 000 tons of CO2 since 2020. 

Conapto’s business model is an excellent example of how companies can operate sustainably by reducing their climate impact while offering high-quality services. We hope that their integration of environmentally friendly solutions across their operations can serve as inspiration for other companies in the industry!

Take a look at Conapto’s CO2-transparency page for more insight into how they work to reduce their emissions!

Aylen Bertlin’s travel habits have transformed dramatically – from being a passionate traveler to completely giving up air travel. She reflects on her previous travel frequency: “There was this one year when I was abroad at least 10 times. In hindsight, I wonder what it was I was actually searching for.”

Opting out of flying has proven to offer benefits such as the ability to explore multiple cities along the way to the final destination. Train journeys to Berlin often include a stop in Malmö to enjoy a falafel or two. Similarly, when Aylen and her partner Gurgin travel by motorhome to southern Europe, making both planned and spontaneous stops to enrich the travel experience with new discoveries is a priority.

Workes well with a full-time job

Despite the challenge of managing time constraints, especially at the beginning when traveling by train requires more travel days, Aylen has found a balance that works well even with a full-time job.

“Even though the thought of skipping a spring trip to Cape Verde might feel like a near-death experience for many, I can guarantee that the journey takes on a whole different value if you just open the doors to, for example, train travel.”

This shift has not only led to a more sustainable travel style but also to a deeper appreciation for the essence of traveling and the values it can embody.

Aylen’s best tips for more sustainable traveling

Aylen shares her best tips for those who want to explore the world in a more sustainable way:

• Start small: A short trip is an excellent first step. For example, a train journey to Berlin with Snälltåget is a perfect start.
• Explore the options: There are many ways to travel. Consider a sailing trip if it suits you better, or use carpool groups to find car-sharing opportunities. When Aylen and her partner travel with their motorhome, they often look for fellow travelers.
• Plan smart for long-distance train travel: Avoid journeys with many changes. Train delays are common and can lead to missed connections and involuntary overnight stays at train stations. Instead, plan sightseeing stops along the way.
• Travel comfortably: For a pleasant journey, make sure to bring something to keep yourself occupied, such as a book, knitting, or a Game Boy. On longer trips, a pillow and a small sleeping bag are invaluable accessories.
• Embrace the time: Many are deterred from sustainable travel due to the time it takes. Aylen emphasizes the importance of letting go of stress and seeing travel as a chance for contemplation, reflection, and making new acquaintances. A stressful vacation is not a real vacation.

Evident Life is a young and completely digital life insurance company with a business idea that focuses on digital innovation, data-driven operations, and preventive health measures. From the beginning, sustainability has been a cornerstone in their development, something they have actively integrated into every phase of their growth.

CEO Michaela Bruneheim shares that their goal was to “do it right from the start” by minimizing their carbon footprint and maintaining environmentally and socially sustainable business practices.

Evident Life is committed to several of the UN’s global sustainability goals, especially goals 3, 5, 8, and 12. This includes measures such as encouraging employees to use bicycles, walking and public transport, and in their digital business model, they continuously strive for energy-efficient technology. Their digital focus also leads to significantly less paper consumption, which they see as a distinct advantage compared to competitors.

Gender equality is also a core aspect of their operations, with an aim for balance in gender distribution both operationally and at the board level. Flexibility in working hours and location is part of their corporate culture, which they see as crucial to maintaining a healthy balance in life for their employees, which in turn contributes to the company’s long-term success and sustainability.

Evident Life conducts an annual climate analysis with GoClimate, where they evaluate and take responsibility for their emissions by financing climate projects, chosen through a democratic process among the employees. This method of climate financing is not only effective but also engaging, as it allows employees to participate in the choice of projects and see the direct effects of their contributions, which Bruneheim describes as a meaningful way to contribute to a better planet.

“It feels rewarding to be able to make our small contribution to making the planet a little better”, says Michaela Bruneheim.

Elisabeth Byström and Johan Ernfors run the Instagram account Minimalisterna where they share their everyday life and strive towards a simpler and more harmonious life with minimalism.

“The biggest change we’ve made is not buying things immediately when the desire or interest arises”

Elisabeth and Johan live in a residential area outside of Stockholm with their two children and from the outside, they appear like any other family.

However, they actively strive to live with fewer unnecessary items, meaning they only own items they truly need and use. They also seek to eliminate the less important things when it comes to expenses, commitments, and interests in life.

“The biggest change we’ve made is not buying things immediately when the desire or interest arises. And to have patience and first research the second-hand market properly. Still, when there is a need we do want to purchase quality and tech gadgets that meet our needs.”

“We still have the computer we bought together in 2012”

“We replace tech gadgets when we feel that the ones we have today no longer meet our needs. Clear examples are mobile phones where substantial development has occurred over the past ten years, which means we’ve switched phones a couple of times, for instance, to get a better camera since we take a lot of photos. Whereas when it comes to computers, we still have one that we bought together in 2012, which still works and meets our needs to this day. The children each have a tablet that we bought second-hand as we didn’t feel they needed brand new ones to meet their needs.”

Elisabeth and Johan’s tips for sustainable consumption

Elisabeth and Johan’s tips for a more sustainable approach to tech are primarily to start looking in the second-hand market,

“If you don’t own the gadget today, or if you have a working one right now, you most likely don’t need to buy it so you have it tomorrow or upgrade immediately. Have some patience.

And don’t forget the importance of selling tech gadgets you don’t use as soon as possible, as technology can easily become outdated and thereby quickly depreciates in value.”

Regarding consumption in general, the couple suggests asking yourself some control questions before making a purchase.

“For instance; How will my life improve with this item? What value does this item bring to me? How often will I really use it? And is this something I truly need, or is it more something I want but don’t need?

Having a basic rule to never make impulsive purchases is key. If you find something interesting, always sleep on it or set a timeframe to wait a week or month and then see if the need still feels as strong. It’s surprisingly common that a little distance and time results in what felt like an intense need cooling down.”

Check out their instagram account for more inspiration!

Inrego wants to change buying behavior and promote circular IT as a competitive advantage.

Laptops, computers, mobile phones, and other IT products can be reused just like cars, boats, or bicycles.

“After 28 years in the industry, we know that a reconditioned product lasts just as long as a new one, so we offer the same warranty as for new products.” says Sebastian Holmström, Sustainability Manager at Inrego.

 “It is important for us to show that there is a difference between reused products that have not been worked properly on and reconditioned products that have been upgraded and are sold with a warranty.”

Sustainability plays a crucial role in being an attractive employer

Sebastian has experienced that the market for reused electronics is thriving since a few years back, for several reasons – not least because of how sustainable business practices strengthen the brand.

“We see that circular IT has become a competitive advantage, where sustainable IT management is crucial to attract young talent to the company. Sustainability plays a crucial role in being an attractive employer, and the demand for reused products has increased significantly for this reason.”

Read more about Inrego here.

Check out Inregos webshop here.

Read our checklist for handling IT equipment sustainably as a company, here.

Ensure maximum performance and durability of your equipment

• Provide maintenance for existing equipment
• If something is broken, the possibility of repairing or replacing a component should always be considered.
• See if it makes financial sense to do so. Sometimes repairing is more expensive than new equipment, In this case, the decision to repair could still be valid if the life expectancy is still significant.

Purchases should be based on actual (not perceived) needs

• Have a good inventory.
• Reassign equipment among colleagues.
• Avoid buying new equipment if not needed.

Replacement policy

• Do not have an automatic 2-3 year replacement, make it optional for employees to replace at that time if they see the need.
• Consider the manufactures guidance for when equipment should be replaced but bear in mind that well-taken care of equipment can last longer.

Consider buying refurbished electronics

• Companies such as Inrego or Swappie sell refurbished equipment that had a previous owner and now has been repaired for others to use it.
• If they have equipment that serves your needs consider buying from them instead of brand new equipment

When buying new equipment

• Look for environmentally certified products such as the Green Electronics Council EPEAT Registry or TCO Certified.
• Buy from brands that account for their carbon footprint and energy efficiency
• Look for energy efficiency ecolabels such as Energy star or the one created by the EU where A means most efficient. Applies to monitors, computers, and servers.

The afterlife of your equipment

• Sell your old/unused equipment to Inrego or iPhones to Swappie.

Despite the rapid modernisation in China’s cities, a visit to the country’s rural areas would tell a very different story. Many families still rely on coal stoves to boil water for purification, to cook their daily meals and to heat their homes.

This project has enabled rural households to efficiently substitute fossil fuel (coal) used in daily cooking and water boiling with solar energy, avoiding CO2 emission that would be generated by the burning of fossil fuels. A total of 49,000 solar cookstoves will be distributed to families in 8 rural villages across Henan province – cutting emissions, improving air quality and saving families valuable time and money.

The following SDG’s are supported:

Our team member Tove worked in fashion for many years, previously running a fashion PR agency in London before joining GoClimate. From living and breathing fashion and consumption, to start working to fight climate change – how did that happen?

“I really loved working in fashion and am proud to have been involved in building several fantastic brands internationally. My agency focused on sustainability since the start in 2008 – but back then I basically thought sustainability was more or less equal to using organic cotton in the production, or doing a sustainable capsule collection now and then.”

“Over time, I learned more, and was increasingly horrified by how dirty the fashion industry is. As I started to transition to a personal life that did less harm on the planet, there was something about my professional life that didn’t sit right with me. While I was spending lots of time and effort in my personal life adopting healthier consumer habits, my job was to drive consumption by getting people to buy as much of our clients’ products as possible. It just didn’t fit with the way the world looks today, the future I hope for our children, or my personal values. I felt a need to start spending my time solving the problem instead of contributing to it.”

Want to buy something? – Sleep on it!

“I still love fashion and occasionally find it hard not to be able to enjoy certain trends in the same way as before. I always try to find specific garments or accessories that I’m after second-hand, but I’m honestly not great at thrifting. So I still buy newly produced garments – but in a completely different way than before. Back then, I could buy something to wear once or twice, or on impulse. These days I only buy things I need or to replace something that is broken beyond repair, and always after considering it carefully. Sleeping on it often removes a large part of the feeling that I ‘must’ have something – the brain catches up and I often realize that it is not only unnecessary but also very rarely worth using up the planet’s resources.” 

“I also create a list of things I need at the start of every season or year – it makes it easier not to be tempted to buy something just because I want to, because I have my list of things that I need. Instead, I can spend time finding the item that I really love and that will last, rather than buying what trends and the world around me says I “should” have. Because I buy fewer things, I can spend my money on brands that are doing a good job with their sustainability – and stay away from fast fashion.”

“My advice for those who want to enjoy fashion more sustainably, apart from the obvious – buy less, and buy second-hand, is to take the time to find and get to know brands that have a good sustainability policy, both in terms of people and climate. Once you have done your research and have a couple of brands in mind where you both like the design and know that their production is fair to both planet and people, you know where to go when you need to replace an item.” 

“And it’s important to understand the problems with fast fashion. Once you understand how poorly both the planet and people are treated in the process of producing that piece of clothing you want so badly, the shine quickly fades.”

Tove’s list for conscious consumption

• Sleep on it. It often creates a distance to that “I have to get this”-feeling. 
• Make a list for each season. Write down what you really need and stick to it, it makes it easier not to be tempted to buy something just because you want to.
• Spend time on research. Find a piece that you really want and will last a long time.
• Spend money on high quality brands. Check their sustainability policy before making a purchase and stay away from fast fashion.
• Mend and alter items that have broken or are no longer the right size. A good tailor can often bring new life to clothes!