Geckota
At a Glance
- Client: Geckota (trading as WatchGecko)
- Industry: Online Retail (Watches & Accessories)
- Goal: Reduce carbon footprint and gain credible certification
- Services: Full Carbon Footprint Assessment, Certification, Energy Brokering
- Timeframe: Initial project completed in 2023; ongoing support
The Challenge
Geckota, a fast-growing online retailer of watches and watch straps, started as a hobby and evolved into a multi-million-pound business trading globally. While the team was already interested in reducing their environmental impact, they also wanted a way to demonstrate their commitment with clear, recognisable certification.
Owner Jon Quinn was introduced to Go-Positive by another business already in the programme. He was motivated by both purpose and credibility, oping to take meaningful climate action while gaining a mark of trust that could reinforce the brand’s values with customers and partners.
“Go Climate Positive has been very supportive throughout the programme. The hardest bit was to collect needed/backdated information however, we received all the help needed to make this process as easy as possible. We have been part of monthly zoom calls which is very interactive and informative. It allowed us to meet businesses who are in the same boat as us while learning more about sustainability, how it can help our business to differentiate and make the most out of the opportunities around us in a sustainable manner.”
Our Solution
Go-Positive began by calculating Geckota’s full carbon footprint, taking into account not just office energy use but the entire value chain. Including product manufacturing, inbound logistics, employee commuting, and digital infrastructure.
Using this data, we helped the team understand where their emissions were coming from and what they could do about them. Our carbon coaches identified specific, high-impact areas where changes could make a measurable difference. We also facilitated peer learning through regular group Zoom sessions and provided one-on-one support throughout the process.
“The programme helped us to involve everyone within the company to participate from bringing our own reusable water bottles to producing/designing products from recycled ocean plastic. We still have a long way to go however, we are very proud of where we are now with the help of Go Climate Positive.”
The Results
The carbon footprint analysis revealed that nearly half of Geckota’s emissions (48%) were generated by product transportation. This insight prompted the team to begin exploring sea freight as an alternative to more carbon-intensive air freight for inbound shipments.
Surprisingly, digital activity emerged as the third-largest emissions contributor, responsible for 10% of the business’s footprint. Energy use, by contrast, accounted for just 4% but still offered a fast opportunity for impact.
With their existing energy contract due to expire, Go-Positive connected Geckota with Full Power Utilities, a trusted renewable energy broker. They successfully switched the company to 100% renewable electricity, cutting six and a half tonnes of carbon from their footprint while also reducing their electricity bill by 27%. This demonstrated that sustainability can be financially beneficial as well as ethically sound.
As with all Go-Positive members, Geckota received a custom certification page transparently publishing their carbon data and reduction goals. A digital certificate was also provided for use across their marketing materials.
Click here to view their certification page.
Go-Positive’s support also helped the team embed sustainability into their culture. From personal choices, like bringing reusable bottles, to designing products using recycled ocean plastics, the company has taken meaningful steps and continues to build on the momentum.
