This Earth Day we are proud to showcase our steadfast commitment to sustainability.
Being sustainable is a key business objective for Kanga; our mission is to be net zero by 2027. This aim is not just something we pay lip service to, but is baked into every area of our operations, motivating us to prioritise green initiatives and sustainable practices to lessen our impact on the environment.
Becoming net zero doesn’t happen overnight, we’re continually working on areas of improvement across our business and Earth Day is a great chance to delve into our efforts.
Here are some of the promises we’ve already made to reduce Kanga’s negative environmental impact through…
Reducing our carbon footprint: We reduce our environmental impact by using energy-efficient devices and software, minimising travel and commuting, switching to paperless comms and documentation, and recycling or reusing materials where possible.
Offsetting emissions: We offset our unavoidable emissions by investing in projects that support sustainability. For example, Kanga is an investor in Congleton Hydro and Congleton Solar, both local renewable energy projects.
Educating and influencing: We educate ourselves and others about the environmental and social implications of digital technology and raise awareness about the benefits of responsible digital practices.
Celebrating international days such as Earth Day is an example of a way we can educate our online audience.
In addition to these overarching initiatives, we’ve taken concrete steps to make a positive impact in our community, such as:
Supporting local green initiatives
In 2023, we donated to the Vale Allotments Association to prevent the closure of the Congleton allotment. This investment underscores our commitment to preserving green spaces, supporting community well-being, and encouraging biodiversity.
Last month the Kanga team volunteered as part of the Trees for Congleton initiative whose goal is to plant 30,000 trees by 2025. This initiative not only enhances green spaces but also contributes to carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration.
Did you know that each year, one mature tree produces enough oxygen for 10 people (1) ?
Investing in renewable energy
We are proud investors in local sustainable energy projects, furthering our commitment to clean energy production and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Including:
Congleton Hydro, a community-run benefit scheme to produce renewable energy at Havannah Village, where all profits from the production of renewable energy are reinvested into the community.
Congleton Solar aims to harness solar power for schools and businesses in Congleton, Cheshire and North Staffordshire. This is via financing Green Solar PV power, reducing CO2 emissions, helping local schools and sports clubs to reduce their footprint and provide them with cheaper electricity as well as championing local projects and providing educational resources.
Support the reduction of plastic
Our team recently took part in The Big Plastic Count, a national plastic-counting campaign led by Greenpeace UK and Everyday Plastic.
The insights from the data collected will be used to lobby the government to tackle the plastic waste crisis. Click here for the results: The Big Plastic Count Findings or you will find the official results infographics at the bottom of this article!
In addition to The Big Plastic Count, we’ve also signed the Global Plastics Treaty which demands a 60% reduction of all fossil fuel-based plastic production by 2040.
Promoting remote work
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, we embraced remote working policies to reduce business travel and associated carbon emissions.
Research from Microsoft found that working from home reduced emissions by 54%, as opposed to working in the office – a reduction evidenced to be due to the easing of vehicle congestion on the roads – resulting in improved fuel economy, and also less energy used in offices(2).
Supplier auditing
Kanga is continually reviewing suppliers across print and other physical products such as merchandising, to make sure all our purchases are aligned with our sustainability values. This includes switching printed materials to only using recycled paper (and reducing the number of printed materials needed), choosing not to print a backdrop at an event we are attending as the material was unsustainable and instead choosing to take our own portable backdrop we can reuse at other events, and also choosing to partner with The Social Supermarket to provide branded merchandise.
As we celebrate Earth Day, we invite our clients, partners, and community to join us in our journey towards a more sustainable future. After all, sustainability isn’t just an arbitrary goal – it’s a promise to the planet and future generations.
Results of The Big Plastic Count(3)
References:
- The Independent (2022): How much oxygen do plants produce, and how can you tell how old trees are? https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/oxygen-plants-produce-old-trees-b2076350.html
- The Guardian (2023): People who work from home all the time ‘cut emissions by 54%’ against those in office www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/18/people-who-work-from-home-all-the-time-cut-emissions-by-54-against-those-in-office#:~:text=People%20who%20work%20remotely%20all,an%20office%2C%20the%20study%20found
- The Big Plastic Count (2024): Results www.thebigplasticcount.com/results
