Founded in 1794 as Aarhuus Stiftsbogtrykkerie, the Stibo Software Group has grown into a global powerhouse in master data management, media enterprise platforms, and commercial printing. What began as a regional printing house in Denmark has, over more than two centuries, evolved through strategic reinvention into a leader in technology and customer-centric solutions.
Stibo Group offices. Soure: https://www.stibo.com/
A defining milestone in the group’s journey was the establishment of the Stibo Foundation in 1966. This foundation, which owns the company, ensures that Stibo operates with a long-term perspective, a deep commitment to technical excellence, and an innovation-first mindset. Today, the foundation's stewardship enables Stibo to continuously invest in transformation while staying rooted in its values.
The group consists of three major divisions:
- Stibo Systems, a master data management provider helping enterprises unlock the full value of their data.
- Stibo DX, offering media enterprise platforms to publishers and broadcasters across the globe.
With subsidiaries across five continents and over 2,000 employees, Stibo remains proudly 100% foundation-owned and financially resilient, enabling it to drive meaningful transformation at scale. The company continues to deliver cutting-edge solutions while staying true to its founding principle: ‘Retain the highest possible reputation under the highest technical standard.’
To align its operations with its sustainability vision, Stibo partnered with Green Earth to compensate for its environmental impact. As part of this initiative, it chose to support nature-based solutions that reflect its values of innovation, community, and legacy.
We spoke with Stibo’s Sustainability Officer about their motivations, targets, and vision for environmental leadership.
Can you tell us more about Stibo and why sustainability is important to your company?
Stibo Software Group is a foundation-owned company headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark, with a legacy dating back to 1794. The group comprises Stibo Systems, a global leader in master data management, and Stibo DX, a leading provider of digital experience software for media companies.
Sustainability has long been at the heart of our purpose: We exist to create better businesses for a better world. At Stibo Systems, this means helping organisations govern and share trusted, AI-ready data to reduce waste, strengthen transparency, and build resilient supply chains. At Stibo DX, it is about enabling publishers to deliver digital content more efficiently and sustainably. Across the group, we view environmental responsibility as a natural extension of our foundation heritage and a critical driver of long-term innovation.
Read more: Hortus Supplies: Growing smarter, greener, and globally
What sustainability targets have you set, and how are you working towards achieving these targets?
Our focus is on lowering our environmental impact and reducing our carbon emissions. We set ambitious science-based targets through SBTi. We have a detailed carbon account in place since 2021, and SBTi approved our reduction targets last year. We are fully on track with our near term and net-zero targets and have so far been able to reduce our emissions by 21% since the baseline fiscal year 2021/2022.
We have several initiatives in place to reduce this further: from optimising our office spaces and installing solar panels at our headquarters (providing ~22% of our electricity) to moving customers from on site to the Cloud and being as efficient as possible in our energy, water, and waste usage. We are further working closely with our suppliers and customers to reduce emissions in our value chain.
Read more: Bruynzeel storage systems: creating space for a healthier planet
What motivated Stibo to compensate for its carbon footprint with Green Earth?
We were looking for a trusted partner, especially after all the controversy around carbon offsetting. Direct control over the projects and direct contact with the ones responsible for the project on the ground is very important. For us, partnering with Green Earth is just a start. We are using this as a pilot with the aim to offset all our emissions in the near future. Offsetting with Green Earth is in addition to our carbon reduction targets and initiatives, which always take priority.
What were your key considerations when selecting the Hongera Energy Efficient Cookstoves Project and the Bulindi Agroforestry and Chimpanzee Conservation Project for your carbon compensation?
We don’t want to just simply offset at the lowest cost (there are some very low-cost though doubtful alternatives in the market). We want to work through a trusted partner on projects that provide a clear and fast carbon reduction impact while also delivering social and local benefits along with contributing positively to the circular economy. The high-quality projects developed by Green Earth meets our needs and expectations and aligns with our carbon compensation and sustainability strategies.
Female Bulindi chimpanzee with her baby resting on a tree in Uganda forests. Bulindi Agroforestry and Chimpanzee Conservation Project, Green Earth.
How do these initiatives align with Stibo's broader sustainability goals and values?
We want to reduce our impact on the environment to the maximum possible level and aim to be a leader in our industry. We have ambitious targets, report on everything we do, and are open and transparent on the challenges we face. Green Earth’s initiatives align with our values and give us the confidence to move forward in our mission and achieve our targets.
Read more: What makes Green Earth’s reforestation projects unique?
What message would you like to share with other businesses considering similar actions?
Make sure to have a clear view of your carbon emissions, and be ambitious in reducing these as fast as possible. Investigate projects thoroughly, and invest in high-quality carbon offsetting. Be bold and honest about your challenges, and communicate transparently to all stakeholders.
Read more: SME carbon footprints: a practical guide
The projects that support nature restoration
To support its sustainability goals, Stibo chose to offset its emissions through two of Green Earth’s impactful nature-based initiatives: the Bulindi Agroforestry and Chimpanzee Conservation Project in Uganda and the Hongera Energy Efficient Cookstoves Project in Kenya. Together, these projects combine biodiversity protection, carbon reduction, and community empowerment, aligning closely with Stibo’s long-term commitment to creating solutions with maximum impact.
Read more: New stoves, new beginnings: clean cooking for Maasai communities
The Hongera Energy Efficient Cookstoves Project addresses one of the most pressing issues in East Africa: dependence on firewood and charcoal for household cooking. In rural Kenya, traditional cooking methods contribute to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and indoor air pollution, affecting both ecosystems and human health.
Close-up of a Maasai woman holding her newly received cookstove. Hongera Energy Efficient Cookstove Project, Green Earth.
By distributing energy-efficient cookstoves, the project reduces household fuel consumption, lowering pressure on forests and cutting harmful emissions. Beyond environmental benefits, these cookstoves improve health outcomes by reducing indoor smoke exposure and save families both time and money, particularly empowering women and children. For companies like Stibo, supporting this initiative means driving nature conservation, biodiversity protection, and improved community wellbeing all at once.
Read more: Nurturing harmony in Uganda—A Planet Earth III tale of the Bulindi Chimpanzee Project
The Bulindi Agroforestry and Chimpanzee Conservation Project in western Uganda is an impactful initiative that restores degraded land, supports local communities, and protects the remaining natural habitat of the Bulindi chimpanzees, a wild population of over 300 apes living in fragile forest fragments.
Located in the Hoima and Masindi districts, this agroforestry project was launched in response to the urgent need to conserve biodiversity amidst expanding agricultural pressures. This initiative addresses both ecological restoration and socio-economic development through large-scale tree planting and community involvement.
By purchasing carbon units from these projects, companies like Stibo are not only supporting wildlife protection and carbon sequestration but also enabling sustainable livelihoods for rural households.
Is your company looking to make a real, measurable impact? Partner with us to compensate for your emissions through nature-based solutions that empower communities and restore ecosystems. Reach out to learn more about our verified projects and how your organisation can take action today.
