Inside HH Global’s 2024 Sustainability & ESG Report
HH Global, a leader in marketing activation services, has released its Sustainability and ESG report for the financial year 2024.
The report details the company's progress, challenges and strategies in ESG initiatives.
While highlighting advancements in sustainable procurement and responsible design, the report also acknowledges an increase in emissions during the reporting period.
A year in review
A key highlight of the report is the finalisation of HH Global's "15 to Zero" plan.
This plan, guided by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), outlines 15 initiatives across energy, travel, sourcing, freight and waste.
The goal is ambitious: a 50% reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2030, and a 90% reduction by 2040.
The company's Conscious Creative programme also received commendation, recognised as an industry benchmark for responsible design.
This initiative focuses on improving the sustainability of marketing materials from conception to production.
Furthermore, enhancements to the Sustainable Procurement Framework (SPF) have led to the onboarding of more than 1400 strategic supplier partners across 55 countries, representing more than US$1.5bn of HH Global's spend.
The message from the CEO
Despite these advancements, the report reveals a concerning trend: emissions increased during FY24.
Kristian Elgey, Group CEO of HH Global, addresses this issue directly.
"In that spirit, it is important to note that, despite agreeing our net zero plan and making significant progress in terms of ensuring our emissions are halved by 2030, emissions increased during FY24," he says.
The report attributes this increase to specific factors, with measures in place to reverse the trajectory.
"Reducing emissions is hard, but we are determined to achieve our ambitions," says Kristian.
Sustainable procurement framework
The Sustainable Procurement Framework (SPF) is a central element of HH Global's ESG strategy.
This tech-enabled platform aims to improve suppliers' ESG credentials and align them with HH Global's sustainability goals.
The company estimates that the SPF's full impact is around 10 times the figure they place with their partners.
HH Global is also actively engaging with women-owned businesses through its partnership with WEConnect International, tracking these businesses within its supplier relationship management system.
A collaborative approach
HH Global emphasises the importance of collaboration in achieving its sustainability targets.
"As a global organisation, I believe we don’t simply have a responsibility to operate sustainably,” says Kevin Dunckley, Chief Sustainability Officer at HH Global.
“We have a responsibility to take our strategic supplier partners and stakeholders with us."
This collaborative approach extends to the company's biodiversity efforts, where it is preparing to meet obligations under the EU Deforestation Regulation and investing in nature-based solutions.
These efforts stem from a company-wide focus on the environmental impacts across supply chains.
“We do not believe that economic growth should inevitably lead to environmental degradation,” says Ranja Sengupta, Global Responsible Sourcing Lead at HH Global.
“Through the SPF and Sedex platforms, we are ensuring that we and our supplier partners can buy more sustainably and more ethically.”
Commitments and partnerships
The report showcases HH Global's commitment to various UN Sustainable Development Goals, with specific initiatives aimed at promoting decent work and economic growth, reducing inequalities, ensuring responsible consumption and production and nurturing biodiversity.
The company has also received awards and certifications that demonstrate their commitment to meeting high standards and leading industry practice.
These include being highly commended at the Global Sustainability & ESG Awards and the Global Procurement & Supply Chain Awards.
“We remain committed to our objectives despite headwinds and an ever changing regulatory and reporting landscape,” Kevin explains.
Challenges and the path forward
While HH Global has made strides in various areas of sustainability, the increase in emissions serves as a reminder of the challenges involved.
The company's "15 to Zero" plan and its focus on supply chain engagement are critical steps in addressing these challenges.
The coming years will be crucial in determining whether HH Global can achieve its ambitious emissions reduction targets and solidify its position as a leader in responsible marketing activation.
“Sustainability is a journey, one that demands bold commitments, rigorous action and accountability,” Kristian explains.
“As we look ahead to 2025, we are inspired by the momentum we’ve built and the shared dedication of our teams, clients and partners to creating a more sustainable world.”
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