In 2021, sustainability should be high on the agenda for all agencies. With COP26 right around the corner and one of the conference goals being ‘global net-zero by mid-century’; organisations should be thinking about the ways in which they can help contribute to a more sustainable future and putting plans into action.  

As part of its commitment to becoming a more sustainable company, Splendid Communications is partnering with international conservation charity, World Land Trust in a two-phased programme of initiatives. The first sees Splendid investing in key World Land Trust programmes – Buy an Acre and Plant a Tree - that aid the protection and restoration of tropical habitats in countries including Argentina and Brazil. And the second phase will be taking part in its Carbon Balanced programme.

“We chose to partner with World Land Trust as its schemes enable us to quantify our contribution in tangible ways, not just in terms of a financial donation. World Land Trust gives control to the people of the land, which is important as those native to the land understand it best, and this helps deliver a positive impact that will last.” says Niki Hunter Ekins, MD and sustainable practice lead at Splendid Communications.

World Land Trust is an international conservation charity that protects the world’s most biologically significant and threatened habitats acre by acre. The charity saves the land so that everything that depends on it can be saved including the wildlife, plants and trees, and the communities.

Throughout the year Splendid has been reviewing its practices and processes, from the suppliers it uses, to how it activates and carries out events, to ensure that sustainability is front of mind. In 2021 the agency introduced triple bottom line reporting and insists that it is committed to measuring its social and environmental impact - in addition to its financial performance - with the ambition of moving towards a regenerative and more sustainable future.

“Our aim is to make sure our future business success is also tied to protecting the planet.” explained Niki Hunter Ekins, MD and sustainable practice lead at Splendid Communications. “The time to act is now and we look forward to being able to show year on year improvements. Not only do we want to show that we are putting in measures to reduce our carbon emissions, but also that we are balancing our unavoidable carbon output”

The agency has also encouraged its staff to adopt their own personal objectives by making positive small changes in their personal lives, such as eating less meat, shopping responsibly or reducing their energy consumption. 

As the industry tries to make meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future it’s essential that agencies do their part and begin taking action by supporting worthy causes and upholding their commitments.