At neues handeln AG, Greenboostings are agency-wide knowledge formats that enable colleagues to make communication projects more sustainable. The neues handeln Environmental Team developed standards, checklists and practical tools for print products, events and websites. More than 150 employees were trained to plan, advise and produce in an environmentally friendly way, with the aim of making sustainable communication the norm step by step.
Project Goals
Changing Products and Services or Business Models
Expanding Knowledge & Skills
Focus Area
Climate
Education
Environment & Nature
Media & Communication
Workplace & Organisational Development
What gave you the courage to start?
As part of our EMAS certification, we began analysing the environmental impact of our communication measures more closely. We realised that our strength lies in our ecological handprint. Calculating the savings from using recycled paper was an eye-opener: one magazine edition saved enough energy for 91 households, 125 trees and 5.4 t CO₂eq. This showed us the potential of sustainable choices and encouraged us to go further.
The Outcome
Over four months, three interdisciplinary teams developed internal tools and standards for print, giveaways, websites and events; an internal knowledge portal (currently with almost 4,000 views); training for around 6 colleagues as product-specific sustainability experts; 3 agency-wide co-creation sessions with 30–70 colleagues each; and around 12 internal mini-trainings, reaching almost all 150 employees.
The Impact
The project led to greater awareness and confidence in applying sustainability to our core business; increased knowledge and advisory skills among employees; greater support from agency management; new insights into quality and cooperation with service providers along the value chain; significant improvement in internal knowledge management; and increasingly sustainable concepts and decisions in agency business, e.g. 80% more print orders placed with certified environmentally friendly printers.
The Biggest Challenge
Finding the time and focus in the dynamic agency environment to enable the Greenboosting teams to advance the different product areas. Our current challenge is to consistently apply the standards in the busy day-to-day agency environment, despite different client expectations and varying levels of involvement among colleagues.
The Biggest Learning
It is worth focusing on the core business. Motivating and involving colleagues is essential – in the service sector, our employees are everything. It is important to make environmental performance measurable. It takes a lot, a lot, a lot of persistence.
Most Enjoyed
Feeling that the topic matters to many people and is also supported by management. Identifying the key levers and making them accessible to all employees. Celebrating successes, such as great resource-efficient projects that have emerged.
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