Sticking to our word – 1% at a time

Whether it’s a pinkie promise or a contractual agreement, both are legally binding in my eyes. Well, maybe not quite legally binding, but I do believe that keeping to your word is important, no matter the format. We’ve got so used to empty promises and people hiding behind vague language, it is really refreshing when organisations step up and make real contributions towards a better future for us all.

I’ve discovered that Scientia Scripta is one of these organisations. In my very first task here, I learnt that actions follow words.   

Scientia Scripta’s mission is to democratise science and innovation, for good. What that actually means is that the company supports clients to bring about long-lasting positive change for people AND the environment. So I imagine becoming a member of 1% for the Planet must have been a natural step to make.

As a movement, 1% for the Planet is far more than a directory of worthwhile, vetted environmental organisations. Rather, it ensures that members like us are held accountable for the promises they make. The organisation certifies member donations and ensures that they give away at least 1% of annual sales revenue (not profit, so you can’t cook the books with clever accounting). I hadn’t heard of them before, but I like them already!

But who to choose?

My task was to choose which environmental partners we would support – from over 6,300 environmental organisations around the world! We decided to narrow our search and select organisations based in the UK. I then categorised these organisations into ‘national action’ or ‘international action’ depending on where the organisation focused its work.  

The partners we selected for this year align well with our fundamental values of integrity, justice, compassion, and sustainability. Fortunately, finding this alignment is not a challenge for many environmental partners championed by 1% for the Planet. 

For 2023, we have decided to support environmental partners whose work centres on innovative and sustainable climate solutions. I drew up a shortlist which we put to the first-ever companywide vote. And I’m pleased to announce that this year we will support…

Our 1% for the Planet environmental partners: 

• International action: SolarAid 

Beginning their work in Malawi, SolarAid has since expanded to many other African regions, from Tanzania to Kenya, and it is now currently active in Zambia and Malawi.

SolarAid teams aim to reach the most rural communities to replace dangerous and toxic light sources like kerosene lamps with small solar lights. SolarAid explains that this change reduces harmful pollutants being released that impact both the environment and the long-term health of those who use them.

Their social enterprise SunnyMoney was created in 2008, which kickstarts local economies and enables solar lights to be distributed by the community for the community.

 

 

• National Action: Farm Urban 

Formed in 2013 and based in Liverpool, Farm Urban aims to make accessing sustainable, fresh, and healthy food easier in our cities. 

By using vertical farms to grow their food, Farm Urban uses less space and 90% less water than traditional farming for the same amount of food produced.

Farm Urban has also partnered with the University of Liverpool on three research projects, two investigating ways to improve the vertical farming process and resource demand it uses and another project looking into the wider applications of vertical farming. 

B is for better

Our mission to work for good isn’t some flippant statement. Instead, it is the driving motivation behind each decision we take as an ethical agency. Our membership with 1% for the Planet exemplifies how we express this mission and our values externally.

But what about internally? Well, Scientia Scripta aspires to B Corp certification, or something similar, in the near future. We’ll start working on this next year.

The B Corp movement is a global initiative that encourages businesses and other organisations to care about more than just their bottom line. Becoming accredited as a B Corp demonstrates that an organisation’s purpose works for people, communities and the planet, as well as profit.

Scientia Scripta’s founder, Edwin Colyer, told me that becoming a B Corp would also reflect our values of integrity, justice, compassion, and sustainability. As with 1% for the Planet, B Corps are held accountable for how they treat their staff, their communities and the environment.

Edwin’s hope that the company’s attention to its values and working environment will help to nurture staff who enthuse about Scientia Scripta as an amazing place to work, where everyone has the opportunity to be their very best and thrive, and see how their work contributes to making the world a more sustainable, kinder and fairer place to live.

For now, Scientia Scripta is cautiously building its identity.

“We are only tiny,” Edwin remarked, but he believes that our skills and values can become a “creative force for good.” So, as the company continues to grow in scope and size – such as hiring interns like me – every day is an adventure. But whatever develops, I know this is a company that sticks to its promises – pinkie or otherwise!