Driving social and environmental sustainability

Decisions and actions taken by companies can have profound effects on public welfare and the environment. Since the latest global financial crisis, companies are putting ever greater weight on operating in ways that serve not only their own interests, but those of wider society as well. We are exploring how sustainability and smart business are mutually beneficial.

Our sustainability communications practice provides businesses with environmental and social sustainability communications support and reputation management. Each year we set aside some of our time and resources to support our social and environmental sustainability work.

A number of our staff are also actively involved in organisations and projects that support sustainability.  Anna Kominik is a trustee of Inspiring Communities National Network, Catherine Wilson is on the board of Conscious Consumers, Dan Ormond sits on the board of the Sustainable Business Network, Mark Russell is past President and current board member of Leave No Trace.  

Read what we have to say on why sustainability makes good business sense. 

Environmental sustainability

Part of understanding what sustainability means – and how it benefits business - is to walk the talk ourselves.

Ideas Shop is New Zealand’s first carboNZero public relations firm. We travel green, recycle and reuse. We use green cleaning products and we buy New Zealand made wherever possible. We prefer suppliers who share our environmental values. We're on Green List’s register of eco-friendly PR firms and specialise in sustainability and non-profit media relations. Our efforts were recognised at the 2009 Sustainable Business Network awards (Wellington and Southern region winners and national finalists).

We have also taken what we have learned to help our clients.  Our reputation audit measures and evaluates the communication risks in any organisation.

Contact for environmental sustainability: Dan Ormond

Social sustainability  

Social and environmental sustainability are indelibly linked which is why the Ideas Shop team is encouraged to understand both dynamics. We use our expertise in sustainability communications to support non-profit groups and emerging enterprises in New Zealand and the wider Pacific. Our work helps us to better understand our marketplace, our wider world and the power of good communication to bring people together to achieve great things.

We regularly work with:

• Inspiring Communities Network
• ANGOA
• Leave No Trace New Zealand
• Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track
• Philanthropy New Zealand
• Presbyterian Support New Zealand
• ComVoices

Ideas Shop supports several non-profit organisations through our pro-bono work and many of our staff are actively involved in volunteering for non-profit groups, charities and schools in their own time. 

Each holiday season Ideas Shop continues our tradition of giving back to the communities in which we live, work and play by making donations to our favourite charities.  Read more here.

Contact for social sustainability and community engagement: Anna Kominik 

“I really admire the work that Ideas Shop has done with and for community organisations. Their contributions have been thoughtful, informed and generous. 

"Ideas Shop is an outstanding example of corporate generosity. They have rare skills and are prepared to share them for the social causes they believe in.”

Iain Hines, JR McKenzie Trust.