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DP / Tree planting is an essential , effective way to reduce the impact of carbon emissions and restore natural ecosystems . The United Kingdom has only 13 % tree cover , one of the lowest in Europe , which averages 37 %. Locally , we have held tree planting initiatives across the United Kingdom and Ireland , planting 27,100 trees over the last few years , helping local communities while supporting our global Forest Positive commitments . Through the Arbor Day Foundation and Trees of the Land we are continuing our momentum and are set to plant more trees this winter .
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We ’ re also rolling out a carbon-neutral MPS program .
What are the areas where you have encountered the greatest challenges when it comes to sustainability ?
BF / Looking at digital equity , we still see a pronounced divide in Europe . For example , ITU [ International Telecommunication Union ] data shows that 36 % of the Central and Eastern European population is still not connected to 4G , versus 19 % in Western Europe . We are investing in digital education and skills through the HP Foundation ’ s HP LIFE program , and we ’ ve enrolled over 66,000 students in Romania , with partnerships starting in Hungary , Bulgaria , and beyond .
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HH / To help solve the digital divide , we recognized the need to give educators and students different tools . In Spain , teachers have been able to develop online teaching skills through the free and open-access HP Online Teaching Assistant , which reached over 132,000 teachers in its first 200 days . On gender diversity , there ’ s still work to be done , but we ’ ve made progress in Southern Europe : HP Iberia ’ s Management Committee is 46 % female .
DP / The cost of going green is something that customers and companies need to shoulder , although I believe the benefits clearly outweigh the costs . We also need to examine our value chain for opportunities to reduce carbon emissions — sustainable by design , R & D , and end-of-life product strategy .
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HP ’ s sustainability report puts a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement . Why is HP Amplify Impact important to HP ’ s sustainability goals ?
DP / When engaging with partners , we found that sustainable solutions were often a key part of their strategy , as their customers demand them . Over 80 % of our UK and Ireland partners have signed a pledge with HP that taps into HP ’ s knowledge , training , and resources to assess and improve their sustainability performance while optimizing sustainabilitydriven sales . This enables us to develop joint priorities through the HP Amplify Impact program and educate them on the sustainability areas they consider the most pressing . As of last summer , around 90 % of Danish and Swedish partners had also signed the pledge .
HH / Customers are increasingly demanding that suppliers commit to a low-carbon economy with actions to tackle global warming and the environment . For HP and our channel partners , it ’ s essential we connect with this new consumer profile . Along with pioneering initiatives , transparency with national and international organizations is critical for progress .
BF / The response to HP Amplify Impact in Central Europe has been really positive . On the program ’ s Catalyst track for those with sustainability plans already in place , close to 100 partners in Germany have pledged to improve sustainability performance . We ’ re now rolling it out in the rest of Central Europe .
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