Custos teams up with Systex to empower ESG in a novel, engaging way using Carbon Handprints

Photography by Hou Junwei

Custos is spearheading efforts to make businesses more environmentally friendly, teaming up with Systex to lead the charge. You've probably heard about carbon footprints, but have you ever thought about carbon handprints?

Your carbon footprint measures the greenhouse gases you produce, while your carbon handprint showcases the positive steps you take to reduce and to avoid CO2 emissions from the air. When we talk about saving the planet, our minds often go straight to cutting down on CO2. But here's the thing: even small actions from everyday people can have a big impact. However, as of now, companies can only earn carbon credits by taking actions that reduce their carbon footprint, such as investing in renewable energy sources or implementing energy-efficient technologies.

While big regulations on carbon emissions primarily focuses on industries, they often overlook everyday’s decision and responsibility. That's where the idea of a carbon handprint comes in. It helps us see and understand how much we're helping by doing simple things, like switching from a plastic bottle to a reusable mug. That is why Custos envisions a future where individual actions, like switching from a plastic bottle to a reusable mug, can be recognized as carbon credits. This shift would empower everyone to actively contribute to combating climate change collectively, extending the responsibility beyond just big corporations and governments.

The Custos Journey: Engineering a Greener Future

That's why Thomas Yap, CEO, and Jerel Lim, COO, founded Custos, an enterprise software providing infrastructure and data intelligence for carbon reduction from green lifestyles.

While the founders are Singaporean, they chose to kick-start their idea in Taiwan instead. Yap explained, "When we discussed our startup idea, people told us it was good, but Singapore might not be the best fit. Repairing items like umbrellas or shoes is nearly impossible there. In contrast, Taiwan's population is more interested in ecology and green energies, making it a more suitable first market for Custos. It's a fact that carbon-neutral products often come with a higher price tag than traditional ones. If consumers aren't environmentally conscious, they may simply choose not to use or buy them."

Businesses often engage in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) activities, but these efforts typically lack data-centricity. With his engineering and enterprise software background, Yap asserts, "There's a need to measure the impact of these actions and obtain meaningful data. Planting trees is good but how do you want to get any data? This year the company planted one tree and next year it will plant two trees so the effort has increased by 50%? That is not a way of obtaining data." This, coupled with Thomas Yap's personal connection to Taiwan—his wife being Taiwanese—motivated them to pursue business opportunities in Taiwan. This is why he and Jerel Lim founded Custos, started to build a team, and tested the market.

Tracking Green Habits: The Technology Behind Custos' Rewards System

The application they've created targets companies or large organizations (with more than 100 people) and encourages individuals to engage in environmentally friendly actions by rewarding them with points known as "leaves." This innovative approach not only fosters a culture of sustainability within the workplace but also allows companies to track and analyze their employees' environmental efforts. By incentivizing employees to spend each day in more environmentally friendly ways with "leaves," companies can effectively collect data on their employees' environmental practices.

For instance, 1000 leaves equate to a "tree," which can be exchanged for items like a tableware set or a thermos mug. Companies also have the flexibility to customize the reward system, such as setting 10,000 leaves for a day of paid leave. This provides companies added flexibility to encourage greener actions.

Currently, the app offers six options: Riding a Bicycle, Using Public Transportation, Taking Stairs, Bringing Your Own Tableware, Bringing Your Own Bag, and Opting for Meatless Meals. Each action earns Each action earns "leaf/leaves."

The App offers six options: Riding a Bicycle, Using Public Transportation, Taking Stairs, Bringing Your Own Tableware, Bringing Your Own Bag, and Opting for Meatless Meals. Image Credits: Custos

You might wonder: how does the mobile app determine if I rode my bike or took the stairs, or if I had a meatless meal? Jerel Lim explains, "We utilize the smartphone's sensors to detect activities like riding a bicycle or stair climbing. For public transportation, users are prompted to tap when they board and again when they disembark. As for meatless meals, our integrated app camera allows users to take a photo of their meal on-site, and our AI identifies whether meat is present."

When asked if users could cheat—for example, by removing the steak from their plate before taking a picture, then replacing it afterward—Thomas Yap chuckled and replied, "While it's always possible to find loopholes, our primary goal is to raise awareness of the environmental impact of everyday actions. When a user removes the steak from their plate and later replaces it, subconsciously they recognize that opting for a meatless meal is better for the environment.

Over time, this awareness can lead to a reduction in meat consumption." In terms of revenue generation, Custos offers two distinct pricing plans: the Enterprise Suite, priced at approximately US$7 per user per month, with a minimum requirement of 100 users, and a customizable plan tailored to individual client needs.

The application incentivizes individuals to take environmentally friendly actions by rewarding them with "leaves." Image Credits: Custos

Climbing Towards Sustainability: Custos' Innovative Solutions and Collective Impact

In addition to its ongoing partnerships, Custos recently launched the Earth Day 22 April 2024 challenge, which saw participation from 18 companies and over 600 employees. Together, they completed 16,910 eco-responsible actions, equivalent to preventing 2.3 tons of CO2 emissions. Through collaborations with green marketplace and circular economy innovators, Custos is currently engaged with partners at approximately 3,000 locations.

Users of the app can access various services such as rentals and repairs through its marketplace, earning leaves that can be traded for rewards or donated to environment protection organizations. Notably, with the implementation of the "Take stairs" function, designed to encourage the use of stairs over elevators, the collective effort of the 600 employees led them to climb the equivalent of Mount Fuji 100 times.

The app offers six options: Riding a bicycle, using public transportation, taking stairs, bringing your own tableware, bringing your own bag, and opting for meatless meals. Image Credits: Custos

The target audience of Custos consists of two groups: individuals already engaged in environmental actions, thus identifying and attracting them, and those who are unaware of how to contribute to environmental efforts at their level. Custos assures the companies it collaborates with that environmental stewardship is mutually beneficial and can lead to financial gains. In fact, by prioritizing its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities, a company enhances its reputation.

Another benefit is the potential cost savings for companies; for instance, if employees opt for public transportation instead of taxis during business visits, the company incurs fewer expenses. Similarly, encouraging the use of stairs over elevators can result in reduced maintenance costs for the company, as elevators are less likely to malfunction due to reduced usage.

Another benefit is the potential cost savings for companies; for instance, if employees opt for public transportation instead of taxis during business trips, the company incurs fewer expenses. Image Credits: Custos

In conclusion, Custos stands as a beacon of innovation in the realm of sustainability, offering practical solutions for both businesses and individuals to engage in eco-friendly practices. Through its pioneering technology and collaborative approach, Custos empowers users to make meaningful contributions to environmental conservation while simultaneously reaping rewards and benefits. As we navigate the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, Custos serves as a reminder that every action, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in building a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come.

• This article was originally published on Meet Global. Read the original article.