Case study
How Bytes Technology Group is using the Oxford Principles to build a credible net-zero pathway
Tech Services
Large Business
Restore
Carbon removals
As a FTSE 250 technology leader, Bytes Technology Group (BTG) is one of the UK’s most prominent value-added resellers. Operating through its two primary subsidiaries - Bytes Software Services and Phoenix Software - the group provides the vital software, security and cloud services that keep thousands of organisations running.
But for BTG, "value-added" doesn’t just guide their business model, it defines their approach to the planet. By aligning their carbon strategy with the Oxford Principles for Net Zero, they are moving beyond performative offsetting to pioneer a science-led model for strategic carbon management.
At a glance
Bytes Technology Group (BTG) has been a powerhouse in the UK technology sector for over 40 years. Since listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2020, the Group has rapidly matured its sustainability programme, moving from basic regulatory reporting to a comprehensive ESG framework that aligns with seven of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Today, they don't just report on their own Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions; they actively engage with their customers and suppliers to drive decarbonisation across the entire technology supply chain.
Location
UK
Company size
1,000+ employees
Industry
IT solutions & services
Services used
Carbon Removals, Carbon Avoidance, SBTi Target Validation
Overall climate journey
Calculated Carbon Footprint ✅ Set reduction goals ✅ Reduced emissions ✅ Oxford Principles Aligned ✅
The issue
Since first reporting their carbon emissions in 2020, BTG’s ambition has been to "do the right thing" from the start. While many businesses were content with the broad label of "carbon neutral," the team at Bytes recognised that as the company grew - particularly with the rise of energy-intensive solutions like Generative AI - their environmental impact would become increasingly complex.
To reach their ambitious target of net zero by 2040, they knew they needed a more robust strategy than simply buying the cheapest credits available. They wanted to ensure that every pound invested in climate action was grounded in scientific credibility and contributed to the long-term infrastructure required for a global net-zero economy.
The challenges
The voluntary carbon market currently faces a credibility problem. With increasing scrutiny from regulators and the public, the risk of "greenwashing" - or being accused of it - has never been higher for large organisations.
Furthermore, BTG faced the structural challenge of managing emissions across two distinct operating companies with different footprints. Phoenix Software, for instance, had already reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions to zero, while Bytes Software Services was still managing residual operational emissions. The team needed a framework that was flexible enough to suit both subsidiaries while maintaining a single, high-integrity standard for the group.
The solution
Partnering with Ecologi, BTG adopted the Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting. This science-based framework provides a roadmap for businesses to shift their focus progressively from carbon avoidance to high-quality carbon removals.
Rather than applying a "one-size-fits-all" approach, the group tailored the portfolio for each subsidiary to match their specific commercial and environmental realities:
Bytes Software Services: To address their residual Scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as Scope 3 Business Travel, the team invested 14.6% of their portfolio into high-integrity removals (an increase from 4.4% in the prior year), including durable biomass credits for Scope 1 and 2 and a mix of Delta Blue Carbon mangrove restoration in Pakistan and the regeneration of Jaguar habitat in Mexico for Scope 3. The remaining amount supports vital avoidance projects, such as protecting the Matavén forest in Colombia and providing clean cookstoves in Uganda.
Phoenix Software: Due to the replacement of an HVAC system, Phoenix had some Scope 1 emissions this year, which were addressed through durable biochar removal credits. For their Scope 3 emissions Phoenix has followed the Science Based Target Initiative's V2 guidance for Ongoing Emissions Responsibility, applying a $20 internal carbon price to their carbon footprint. This has enabled them to invest in UK based projects by investing in 'Adaptation & Resilience' through funding a patchwork of nature recovery projects around the UK, including peatland restoration in the Peak District, wildflower habitat restoration in Scotland, planting native trees in South West England, and seagrass restoration and research in Wales.
Numbers have been rounded to single decimal.
This strategic and forward-looking approach demonstrates how BTG is responsibly managing its emissions today, while helping to build the robust carbon removal market necessary for a true net-zero future.
The results
The impact of this strategic shift has been significant. To date, BTG has avoided 9.191 tonnes of CO2e - the equivalent of over 7,000 long-haul flights - and removed 691 tonnes through high-integrity projects. Their commitment to reforestation has also seen 10,343 trees funded across their global projects.
Beyond these headline figures, BTG’s climate leadership is validated by its 2025 B- score from CDP (the global environmental reporting standard). Alongside their 'Prime' status from ISS ESG Corporate Score, this improved rating now places BTG in the top 10% of its industry for sustainability performance.
The partnership has also created a vital internal "carbon pricing" mechanism, helping the board allocate costs efficiently and de-risk their transition to a low-carbon model. By being an early adopter of high-quality removals, BTG has secured a competitive edge, ensuring its sustainability claims are fully auditable and transparent.
Internally, the culture is shifting too. The group has launched a new carbon literacy programme, with 12 sessions already held across three offices, to ensure every employee understands how their day-to-day work contributes to the 2040 net-zero target.
Lisa Prickett, Group Sustainability Manager at Bytes Technology Group, said:
