Our Net Zero Ambitions
… by taking on this challenge, we hope to set an example not only to our colleagues in the creative sector, but also to our clients and suppliers.
- Christopher Graham, TMD’s Chief Executive + Founder
On 1 May 2023, we announced our aim to become Scotland's first net zero full service agency.
We firmly believe that Scotland's ambitious target to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2045 can only be achieved if every organisation plays their part in decarbonising their processes.
Our mission to reach net zero is constantly evolving and this page shows our progress on the areas we have identified as requiring action. We will be reporting our progress annually, with the first progress report scheduled for publication in May 2024.
2023
Recycling to be compulsory at our studio
We recycle all discarded cardboard, paper, and plastic by means of an agreement with a waste disposal company who are contracted by our landlord, Govan Workspace.
We have next to no glass waste day to day, but on the rare occasion we do, it is recycled by means of the public glass recycling station.
Use renewable electricity at our studio
Electricity in our studio is metered and we are able to choose our energy supplier. Since June 2021, EDF Renewables have supplied all of the power in our studio.
Encourage recycling and renewable energy use at home
The majority of our working time at TMD is spent in the studio, visiting client premises or facilitating events. However, we operate a hybrid working policy, meaning staff can also work from home. So, we encourage our team to adopt our sustainability ethos when working from home, including cutting down on household waste.
Remove flying as an option within the UK for business travel
When we need to travel for business within the UK, we do not take internal flights. We rely on public transport, and where necessary, the use of road vehicles.
If we are travelling internationally to see clients or attend events, the CO2 emissions are offset once the project is complete.
Offset emissions caused by our travel in petrol and diesel cars annually
When we need to travel for any reason, our first preference will be to use public transport.
If, however, this is impractical, we'll resort to using cars. Any emissions from journeys by car will be calculated at the end of the project and then offset at the end of the year, along with all our other emissions.
Purchase only upcycled items where possible
When we buy equipment for use in our projects, events, or to go in our studio, we’ll first endeavour to purchase existing items that have been refurbished. This keeps physical items out of landfill and reduces the need for new items to be manufactured.
If we must buy brand new items, we'll endeavour to ensure we procure from manufacturers/distributers who are are committed to decarbonising their processes. If carbon is generated by our purchasing, we'll calculate this and offset.
Ensure responsible electronic recycling
When computers, tablets and phones have reached the end of their useable life with us, we'll endeavour to dispose of them responsibly in one of two ways:
Charity giveaway
If the device still has use beyond TMD, we'll donate it to a local charity.
Recycling via Apple
We are almost exclusively Apple users at TMD, so anything we can't recycle via charity donation will be given back to Apple for disassembly and reintroduction to the manufacturing supply chain.
Implement a sustainable printing strategy, both internally and externally
In an ideal world, there would be no need for printing. But the nature of a busy creative agency means that the creation of printed assets is often unavoidable.
In our studio, we have a multifunction printer which we lease. We'll be requiring our supplier to have a net zero plan in place by 2025. We only print where necessary, for example, in proofing for large publications.
Externally, our preferred printing supplier is already carbon neutral.
2024
Have a carbon calculator and mitigation plan in place for every event we run
Events can generate a large amount of carbon. From food for delegates to delivery of materials and equipment, emissions can and do add up.
By mid 2024, we aim to have a carbon calculator in place for every event we run, calculating the carbon generated where we were unable to reduce/remove our carbon footprint.
The work to reduce our carbon output at events has already begun and it is the biggest part of our net zero challenge.
Offset all gas use at our studio
Our studio is based within what was the headquarters of Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company. Opening in 1891, it has now been beautifully refurbished to function as a workspace and heritage museum.
However, the historical nature of the building means that it can be very difficult to heat — not an ideal situation during Glasgow’s winters.
The owners of Fairfield, Govan Workspace, are actively looking into ways of heating the building effectively and as environmentally responsibly as possible. In the meantime, the building — and our studio — relies on natural gas for heating.
We'll be calculating our share of this and offsetting annually. And we’ll be supporting Govan Workspace in any way we can to help them get to net zero.
Ensure all our cloud services are powered by renewables
We are heavily reliant on cloud services for the delivery of assets, projects, events and other services to our clients.
The cloud services we employ in the execution of our work are based in various countries across the world. Globally, data centres consume around 200 TWh each year, and although this is 1% of global power demand, is is still an enormous amount of electricity.
Therefore, we intend to make sure that all cloud services we use are powered by renewables by the end of 2024.
Offset carbon emissions created by deliveries to and from our studio
We frequently order supplies, equipment and other materials from different companies. These are for our own use, on behalf of our clients, or for use in events we have been asked to deliver.
On an annual basis, we will calculate the carbon output of all deliveries and pickups from our studio and offset.
2025
Ensure our food at our events is sustainable
The production of food is a huge contributor to the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, and therefore comprise a large percentage of the carbon footprint of events we run.
By the end of 2025, we'll be requiring all of our caterers to source all food locally, and have a net zero plan in place to ensure their entire business is net zero.
Ensure all events materials are sourced sustainably and disposed of responsibly
We have always endeavoured to produce events materials — everything from printed delegate passes to exhibition stands — in a sustainable way.
However, from the end of 2025, we'll be adhering to ISO20121, building on our experience of delivering two major projects for SSE at COP26.
Require our event venues to be working towards net zero
As part of our commitment to ISO20121, we'll be requiring all of the venues we use to share their net zero plans with us. Venues which do not have a sustainability strategy in place will not be candidates to host events on behalf of our clients.