BDS Sponsorship Ltd

Sustainability

BDS Sponsorship and GET2COP

BDS is working with the man behind the biggest mass-participation sporting event in history, Sport Aid and Run the World, Chris Long MBE, who is back with a new mission – for climate action.

Chris’s not-for-profit project “GET2COP “ embraces the emotive characteristics of the 1986 Sport Aid event but uses the digital communication assets of today.

The idea is deceptively simple. Digitally run, walk or even hop, whether as a team or individually, to Dubai – where COP28 is being held, to deliver a pledge of positive action and a demonstration of unity.

Please note that BDS are not receiving any fees for their consultancy and other support for this initiative GET2COP.

BDS Sponsorship and Climate Hack.ai

The University College London’s Artificial Intelligence Society has invited students from 25 of the world’s best Universities to take part in a competition focused on using AI to make a tangible and measurable reduction in industrial carbon emissions.

Open Climate Fix, a climate-based non-profit organisation, has prepared around 100 gigabytes of data from the EUMETSAT system for the competition. The aim of the competition is to use Artificial Intelligence and machine learning to improve the accuracy of short-term solar photovoltaic nowcasting (predicting the amount of solar energy that will be produced in a given time period in real-time). With more accurate forecasting, electricity grid operators are able to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Open Climate Fix estimates that better solar photovoltaic forecasting could save up to 100 kilotonnes per year in the UK alone, and by 2030, reduce global carbon emissions by roughly 100 million tonnes.

This unique community is being organised by Jamie Weigold, President of the UCL Artificial Intelligence Society. In a press release announcing the launch of the Climate Hack.ai competition, Jamie Weigold said,

“Climate change is the single greatest threat to humanity today. How we, as a race, respond to it will define not only our generation but the survival and livelihood of all generations to come. Climate Hack.AI and the problem of increasing the quality of solar photovoltaic power production forecasts more generally, is one of many steps that will be required to tackle this threat. We are honoured to be hosting students from such a prestigious collection of universities whose student communities are participating in the competition, united together in the fight against climate change.

Jack Kelly (Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Open Climate Fix) said,
“OpenClimate Fix is committed to addressing climate change in a completely open fashion in order to accelerate impact. Open Climate Fix uses our connection to industry to present real-world problems with researchers. Climate Hack.AI is a fantastic opportunity to get some smart, inventive people on this important challenge, and we can in turn help take these innovations to practical use.”

Here at BDS we assisted the Climate Hack organisers by helping them put together a sponsorship offering to support the competition. The competition is sponsored by Global Innovation Hub, Ennovate, and Newcross Healthcare.

Find out more on the Climate Hack website.

The 25 university societies that are co-hosting this year’s competition are:

  • Caltech
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Georgia Tech
  • Harvard University
  • Imperial College London
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Princeton University
  • Stanford University
  • University College London
  • University of Bristol
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of Cambridge
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Glasgow
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaig
  • University of Manchester
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Oxford
  • University of St. Andrews
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Warwick
  • University of Waterloon

 

Environmental claims in advertising campaigns – do not exaggerate: you are being watched!

The global green consumer trend is a rapidly growing area of focus for businesses, and governments are doing/must do everything they can in order to encourage consumers to adopt green lifestyles.

In an article published by global law firm Taylor Wessing Timothy Pinto has highlighted the fact that while many companies are keen to jump on the green bandwagon, they need to be mindful of the strict rules set by industry regulators.

Timothy Pinto explains that accusations of ‘greenwashing’ by marketers are sometimes backed up by those who ignore the clear guidelines put in place by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The rules set out in CAP and BCAP codes clearly state that claims to be ‘greener’ must be supported by significant substantive evidence.

The BCAP rules also state that environmental claims must take into account the full life cycle of the product or service being claimed to be environmentally friendly. Consumers must not be misled into thinking that a small aspect of a ‘green’ product represents an overall benefit to the environment.

In the article, Pinto reveals that the ASA is taking a proactive stance on enforcing the rules surrounding environmental claims in advertising:

‘The ASA is also conducting specific enquiries on environmental claims in relation to aviation, cars, waste, animal-based foods and heating. In addition, it is undertaking research into consumer understanding of Carbon Neutral, Net Zero and Hybrid claims in the electric vehicle market.’

The ASA enquiries are looking at how well consumers understand claims. Timothy Pinto gives several examples of recent rulings where high-profile advertisers may not have deliberately misled consumers, but where claims made may be open to misinterpretation by consumers. It would appear that consumers are increasingly seeking the facts behind bold claims made by advertisers; the ASA received over 100 complaints from consumers in reaction to an advertising campaign by the manufacturer of an alternative to cows’ milk. The ASA found that although claims were objective, the language used to present the ‘facts’ may have been open to interpretation.

The CMA, DEFRA and BEIS have published guidance for advertisers, promoting clarity in green claims. The ASA published new guidance on the 9th December 2021.

Sustainability continues to increase in importance for all organisations, and we need to be mindful of claims made, and the language used. Here at BDS, we align our processes with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG17) set out by the United Nations.

The importance of developing partnerships for sustainability goals

At BDS we specialise in innovative purpose-driven partnerships and regularly work on world-leading initiatives such as the International Children’s Peace Prize with Global NGO KidsRights and with organisations such as Diabetes UK and Dry January in the UK.

BDS are particularly, and uniquely, experienced in sustainability-focused partnerships including global initiatives for Shell (on the low carbon future) as well as nationally with organisations including Scottish Canals (Smart Canals).

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of sustainability-focused projects using the strength of partnerships. Businesses are seeing the importance of sustainability, and are now integrating sustainability into their strategic vision and practices.

At BDS, we are committed to sustainability and work with partners, including JS Global Advisory, who share our values around protecting the environment. We are proud to be working with some of the best organisations in the world to help promote SDG17 and make a real impact.

Purpose and cause-driven partnerships, like those around sustainability, should be at the forefront of any brands marketing plans. PDP (purpose-driven partnerships) act as a significant multiplier on meaningful engagement and reach, creating memorable, stronger emotional connections with customers and prospective customers. Customers are making many decisions based on their belief in a brand’s purpose.

A recent study conducted by Nielsen showed that Millennials are more likely to make purchasing decisions based on a company’s environmental and ESG policies. The study found that Millennials are willing to pay more for sustainable products, and are more likely to recommend companies with strong sustainability initiatives.

We know that Millennials are the future, and we’re committed to providing them with products and services that reflect our commitment to sustainability.

ESG (environmental, social and governance) statements have joined Corporate and Social Responsibility policies (CSRs) as an important part of how a brand is assessed, both in the B2B and B2C markets. A good ESG goes beyond paying lip service to sustainability; it should provide facts, figures and examples of real-world changes a company has made to meet environmental goals.

This is good news for everyone as it shows that sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor when it comes to buying decisions.

How we can help
At BDS, we know the importance of sustainability-focused partnerships and how they can help organisations achieve their sustainability goals. The approach we take at BDS Sponsorship Ltd helps transform the way you can partnerships and position you as a thought leader – thus establishing authentic world-leading partnerships as an effective business tool.

If you’re interested in learning more about how BDS Sponsorship Ltd can help you secure thought leadership in sustainability and brand purpose, be sure to contact us. We would be happy to discuss our experience and how we can help you achieve your goals.

Contact us today to arrange a meeting and find out how we can assist you.

Find out more about SDG17 and Partnerships for Sustainability goals…

BDS Sponsorship Appointed by Scottish Canals

BDS has recently been employed by Scottish Canals to develop a Sponsorship and Corporate Partnerships Plan.

Scottish Canals is the public corporation of the Scottish Government responsible for managing over 130 miles of the country’s inland waterways, including the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals, as well as 17 reservoirs and four lochs, such as Loch Ness. Scottish Canals also owns and operates the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies.

The Strategy document will provide recommendations that dovetail with Scottish Canal’s broader Corporate Plan and will include a focus on Health & Wellbeing, Sustainability and Innovation, specifically on the highly unique Smart Canal, which is a first of its kind in Europe. The Smart Canal combines the 250-year-old Forth & Clyde Canal with 21st century technology to mitigate flood risk as well as enable massive regeneration.

The benefits of a partnership with Scottish Canals are multifaceted and will include the opportunity to engage with a significant audience of 22 million visits per year.