There is a high level of confusion when it comes to communicating carbon reduction and sustainability in general. Companies often find it difficult to translate what is typically data driven information into a format that is accurate and engaging with key stakeholder groups - be they employees, local communities, shareholders, supply chain or customers.
In addition, the risks and opportunities associated with communicating a credible approach to climate change have never been greater. Companies must engage effectively around the issue of carbon reduction in a way that is accurate, relevant and engaging with its target audiences.
Thankfully there are now globally recognised processes and protocols available to organisations that, if followed when developing environmental policy, significantly mitigate the risk of generating negative perception when a project reaches the communications stage.
Sustain always follow a best practice approach during the creation of carbon management strategies which allows companies to take a pro-active approach to its carbon communications and use its carbon credentials to create real communications impact.
carbon communication service
We have developed a service that allows our clients to bridge the gap between their sustainability programmes and communications activity.
Sustain's Carbon Communications Services include:
- Carbon communications strategy
- Analysis of the communications risks and opportunities associated with the technical information provided
- Support with setting accurate, relevant and engaging key messages around the client's carbon management strategy
- Assisting with the setting of clear and achievable communications objectives
- The setting of realistic targets to underpin any action taken as a result of the technical work - for example a carbon reduction commitment
- The need for market or competitor analysis that allows the client to compare what they are doing with peers
- Converting technical data to marketing
collateral
- Translating technical information into something that can be used by the organisation's communicators - internal sales teams, marketing departments, PR companies, advertising agencies
- Ensuring any claims off the back of the technical work are accurate and can be justified
- Provision of credible evidence to support these claims
- How the technical work can be used to differentiate the client company or product
- Reporting
- Advice on the most appropriate reporting frameworks and standards to follow to maximise communications impact
- Delivering copy that can be incorporated into company reports, relating to carbon management work i.e. Sustainability, CSR, Shareholder etc.
- Evaluation
- Review and measure carbon management achievements to ensure reduction targets are met
- Feed information through to the communications team to ensure accurate reporting to target audiences.
