Our Footprint
We publish our greenhouse gas emissions, including full Scope 1 and 2 emissions. We also report Scope 3 items for which we can identify or approximate reliable data. We will continue to evolve our Scope 3 reporting as better data and modeling becomes available. Our calculations are done using the GHG Protocol and with assistance from a third-party firm with expertise in this area. Details are provided in the table below.
| Metrics | Activity | Emissions | Unit |
| Scope 1 | Fuel use (stationary) | 958 | tCO2e |
| Fuel use (mobile) | 191 | tCO2e | |
| Refrigerants | 3,419 | tCO2e | |
| Total | 4,568 | tCO2e | |
| Scope 2 | Electricity (location-based) | 48,343 | tCO2e |
| Electricity (market-based) | 40,844 | tCO2e | |
| Steam | 2,110 | tCO2e | |
|
Total (location-based) Total (market-based) |
50,452 42,954 |
tCO2e tCO2e |
|
| Scope 3 | Category 3: Fuel & energy-related activities | 14,675 | tCO2e |
| Category 5: Waste generated in operations | 484 | tCO2e | |
| Category 6: Business travel | 906 | tCO2e | |
| Category 7: Employee commuting | 2,996 | tCO2e | |
| Total | 19,061 | tCO2e | |
| Total Scope 1, 2, & 3 (location-based) | 74,082 | tCO2e | |
| Total Scope 1, 2, & 3 (market-based) | 66,584 | tCO2e |
* 2020 calendar year emissions
** Includes Ellie Mae
*** Business travel includes flights; once better data is available additional modes of transportation will be included
Reduction targets
Having established a baseline, we are actively working to set reduction targets.
In the meantime, we have purchased 137,238 Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) to match electricity consumption at our offices and data centers. Vintages and geographies were matched when available, including Green-e certified RECs to offset our US electricity consumption. We are also purchasing 26,000 tCO2e verified carbon offsets to match our reported Scope 1, Scope 2 (excluding Electricity-related emissions that are addressed through EAC purchases) and Scope 3 emissions.
Additionally, we look closely at the potential impact of climate change to our operations and are using a Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures style framework to assess those risks and opportunities. Our Corporate Responsibility Report includes initial TCFD-aligned reporting, which we expect to continue adding to in future reports.
Data Centers
We focus our energy management program on our two data centers, where we can make the most material difference. Our centers have implemented industry leading techniques to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste and offset operating emissions. The building structures provide a high level of insulation and minimize outside air infiltration, reducing solar heat gains, lowering thermal losses and delivering a more efficient cooling profile and lower energy demand.
The most commonly used and cited metric for data center energy efficiency is Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). At our data centers, we have consistently delivered a PUE that has outperformed the base building design by up to 14% by implementing multiple mitigation tactics including: optimized thermal stratification, data center air management, high efficiency HVAC chillers, speed control on cooling equipment and automated lighting control systems.
Our Basildon data center was built to stringent specifications allowing us to attain the following ISO accreditations:
- ISO 9001
- ISO 14001
- BSEN 18001
- ISO 50001
Office facilities
We have renovated our largest offices in recent years to provide modern, well-designed and sustainable workspace for our employees. We consider the environmental impact when designing and renovating buildings, including putting in place energy efficient systems and recycling waste materials from construction.
After purchasing our Atlanta headquarters building in 2014, we initiated a major renovation that resulted in significantly enhanced energy efficiency throughout the building, including:
- LED and motion-sensor lighting, managed by more than 4,000 automatic lighting control devices, that helps reduce our power consumption on average 20% below the energy code allowance
- Exterior facing stairwells that decrease use of elevators and associated electricity
- Computerized HVAC controls and multiple air distribution zones on each floor that maximize tenant comfort, save energy and reduce waste
- High efficiency fixtures and tankless water heaters that result in water conservation and reduced electrical loads
We completed a restoration and renovation project of the iconic New York Stock Exchange headquarters located at 11 Wall Street in 2017. Those updates included:
- Automated LED lighting control devices installed
- Elevators retrofitted for greater efficiency
- Equipment selected to deliver high efficiency
In London all three of our locations are ISO 50001 accredited for energy management and meet EU and UK requirements for energy use.
We rent office space in a variety of additional locations around the world, including major cities in the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In the U.S., where possible, we lease space in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified locations. For example, our Chicago employees work in a LEED Platinum Certified building and our Houston team works in a LEED Gold Certified building.