About

Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) at Cantarus

At Cantarus, we believe digital transformation should be a force for good. Our commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles is embedded in everything we do – from the solutions we build, to how we treat our people, to the way we operate as a business.

ESG aligns directly with our core values of Innovation, Passion, and Integrity. We’re proud to partner with clients who share our ambition to build a better, fairer, and more sustainable future.

Ecologi

Ecologi

We fund reforestation and carbon reduction projects through our partnership with Ecologi, helping to offset emissions generated from our business operations.

Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

As a Supporter of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, we are committed to elevating our employment standards in the key characteristics covered by the Charter.

PCW Quality Mark

PCW Quality Mark

We are proud to have been awarded the People, Culture, and Wellbeing Quality Mark from the Association of Accredited Learning - testament to our commitment to continuously improving our thriving workplace environment.

Disability Confident Committed

Disability Confident Committed

We're a Disability Confident Committed employer, demonstrating our commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. Through the Disability Confident scheme, we’re building the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive at work.

Positive Planet

Positive Planet

We are a Positive Planet Certified Bronze organisation, demonstrating our commitment to measuring, reporting and reducing our carbon footprint through independently verified emissions data and reduction planning.

Fair Payment Code

Fair Payment Code

As a Bronze awardee of The Fair Payment Code, we demonstrate compliance with the Code's principles of clear, fair and collaborative payment practices with our suppliers.

Environmental Responsibility


Minimising our Environmental Impact

  • Net Zero & Carbon Reduction – We’re a Positive Planet Certified Bronze organisation, demonstrating our commitment to measuring, reporting and reducing our environmental impact in line with recognised carbon-reduction standards. We have published a Carbon Reduction Plan setting out our baseline emissions, reduction targets, and the actions we are taking to reach Net Zero.
  • Green Web Foundation Member – As a certified Green Web Foundation partner, we demonstrate that our digital services are powered by renewable energy, and we help our clients make climate-conscious hosting choices.
  • Remote & Hybrid Working – We offer full flexibility with hybrid and remote working options, significantly reducing carbon emissions from commuting across our teams.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Company-paid Railcards – To encourage low-emission commuting, we provide all UK team members with access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and subsidise public transport with annual railcards.
  • Cloud-First Infrastructure – Our operations and solutions are hosted using cloud platforms that optimise for energy efficiency and sustainability at scale, reducing reliance on on-premise infrastructure.
  • Paperless Office & Recycling – Our operations are fully digital-first and paperless by default. Where printing is necessary, we enforce recycling and responsible disposal through office-based waste schemes.
  • Carbon Offsetting via Ecologi – We fund reforestation and carbon reduction projects through our partnership with Ecologi, helping to offset emissions generated from our business operations. We also plant three trees for every service desk feedback survey completed by our clients after a support ticket is closed – turning positive customer feedback into tangible environmental impact.

Sustainable Digital Practices

  • Green by Design – We follow sustainable development best practices, including lean UX, performance optimisation, and efficient code that reduces energy usage during user interactions.
  • Digital Accessibility by Default – All our solutions are designed and developed to meet WCAG 2.2 AA compliance as a baseline, ensuring inclusive access for all and reducing the digital divide.
  • Platform Optimisation – We actively migrate clients away from legacy technologies (e.g., .NET Framework) to more modern, energy-efficient stacks like .NET Core and .NET 8.


Future Goals

  • Measuring Scope 1–3 emissions – We will look to formally track our full carbon footprint, including indirect emissions across our supply chain and digital products.
  • Setting Net Zero targets – We are committed to achieving Net Zero status and are currently scoping a roadmap with clear, science-based targets.
  • Annual environmental impact reporting – We plan to publish our first ESG Impact Report in 26/27, with annual reporting on emissions and sustainability performance thereafter.

Social Impact

People, Culture & Wellbeing

We are proud to have achieved the People, Culture & Wellbeing quality mark from the Association for Accredited Learning (AAL).

We are also a registered Supporter of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, the first of its kind in the UK, which aims to improve employment standards across the region.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  • Regularly monitored via our HRIS platform – Our HiBob platform enables robust tracking of DEI metrics, which are reviewed by the leadership team biannually to inform inclusive hiring, progression, and policy development.
  • Inclusive hiring and development practices – All roles are open to hybrid applicants, and as a UKVI sponsor, we support international talent and make workplace adjustments to ensure inclusive recruitment.
  • Global team with hybrid working – We are an international employer with diverse teams working across the UK, Moldova, and the US – all benefiting from flexible working arrangements.
  • Armed Forces Covenant signatory – We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, supporting veterans, reservists, and military families through inclusive recruitment and workplace policies that recognise their unique skills and commitments.

Employee Wellbeing & Growth

  • 100% Flexible & Hybrid Working – All employees benefit from flexible hours (core hours 10–4) and hybrid working as standard – tailored to their role and life circumstances.
  • Structured professional development schemes – Each team member receives a personal CPD budget, 5 dedicated training days per year, and regular 1:1s with their line manager to support growth.

Want to make a difference with your career? Join our team and help shape the future of digital for good.

Community Engagement

  • Pro bono and discounted work – We support causes aligned with our values, including free or heavily discounted work for some charitable causes.
  • Volunteering days – All staff are entitled to time off to volunteer for causes they care about (utilising CPD allowances), and many take part in community or educational initiatives.
  • Education partnerships – We engage with schools, universities, and apprenticeship schemes to widen access to digital careers, including mentoring and placement opportunities.


Thought Leadership on Inclusive & Ethical Digital Practice

We actively contribute to industry conversations around accessibility, digital inclusion, public sector transformation, and responsible technology, sharing insights through events, publications, and client partnerships.

Governance

Ethical & Accountable Leadership

  • Transparent governance structure – Our leadership and operational structure is open to all staff via our internal knowledge base, and responsibilities are clearly defined.
  • Board-level ESG accountability – ESG sits with the Chief Operating Officer and is discussed at board level, ensuring it’s integrated into group-level strategy and planning.
  • Inclusive leadership culture – Regular company-wide updates and feedback loops ensure everyone has a voice and can influence decisions.


Data Protection & Security

  • GDPR compliant – All our data handling and systems are aligned with UK and EU data protection regulations.
  • ISO 27001, ISO 9001 – We maintain independently audited management systems for Information Security and Quality across Cantarus.
  • Cyber Essentials Plus – We hold this government-backed accreditation as proof of our robust cybersecurity posture.

Responsible Business Practices

  • Anti-corruption policy – Our internal policies include anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and whistleblowing provisions in line with best practice and legislation.
  • Ethical client selection – We avoid projects and partnerships that contradict our values – including work that promotes disinformation, exploitation, or environmental harm.
  • Supplier Code of Conduct – We vet suppliers and partners for alignment with our values and cybersecurity posture. 


Transparency in Practice

  • Annual policy reviews – All core HR, governance, and ESG-related policies are reviewed at least annually and updated in line with changing legislation and best practice.
  • Regular training and audits – ESG and compliance awareness are maintained via staff induction, refresher training, and periodic external audits.

Proof Points & Stories


Highlighted Projects

100% Hybrid/remote
4.7 Glassdoor
80+ Staff across the UK, USA and Europe
+75 NPS

Embedding ESG in our business isn’t just good ethics – it’s good strategy. It helps us attract the best people, build better client relationships, and deliver digital experiences that genuinely improve lives.

Mike Cundall Chief Operating Officer

Commitments & Goals

  • Year-on-year emissions reductions 
  • Formal Net Zero commitments defined by 2026 
  • Increase DEI metrics annually and report on progress
  • Launch ESG Impact Report in 26/27


We’re always happy to share our ESG plans in more detail – key documents are available on request.

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