Did you know that the internet’s carbon footprint rivals that of the aviation industry? At Xanthos Digital, digital marketing sustainability doesn’t sit on the back burner—it’s at the heart of our operations. As part of the Milbank Group, we are proud to align our efforts with an organisation committed to safeguarding the planet while delivering exceptional outcomes for clients and communities alike.
As we strive to become an even more sustainable digital marketing agency, the Xanthos team took part in a Climate Fresk workshop led by Eliza Green to deepen our understanding of the causes and effects of climate change. This informative and interactive session has inspired us to take meaningful actions to reduce our carbon footprint and make better-informed, sustainable marketing decisions. Here’s what we learnt and why your business should consider hosting a Climate Fresk, too.
What is a Climate Fresk?
The Climate Fresk is a collaborative, interactive workshop designed to educate participants about the science of climate change and encourage thoughtful climate solutions. Based on data from IPCC reports, it connects the dots between activities we often take for granted and the environmental changes they contribute to.
Held over three hours, the workshop empowers individuals and organisations to align their operations with sustainable practices and raise awareness within their teams. With over 2 million participants worldwide and versions adaptable for children and adults, it’s a powerful tool for businesses of any size aiming to drive tangible climate action.
During the session, participants work together to match cause-and-effect climate cards, building a collective understanding of how human activities contribute to climate change. This hands-on approach unlocks critical insights into systemic challenges and equips attendees with the knowledge needed to enact impactful change.
Why your business should get involved
- Scientific expertise: The workshop uses globally trusted data from the IPCC.
- Accessible to all: You don’t need prior climate knowledge; participation is designed for everyone.
- Action-oriented outcomes: The workshop creates space for teams to identify practical actions they can take to reduce their impacts on the planet.
Find out more about Climate Fresk on the Climate Fresk website.
What we learned at Xanthos Digital’s Climate Fresk
The Climate Fresk highlighted something simple but profound—our daily actions, both as individuals and as businesses, come with environmental consequences. Below, we’ve captured a few key points to demonstrate how modern online activities contribute to climate change.
The carbon footprint of common online activities
It’s easy to overlook the environmental costs of our digital habits; without careful consideration, digital marketing and sustainability don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand. Here’s how common online tasks can stack up:
- Watching YouTube: With 1 billion hours watched globally per day, YouTube contributes six billion grams of CO2 daily—or the equivalent of driving to the moon 62 times.
- Sending emails: Each day, 306 billion emails are sent and received. Combined, they produce 1.2 trillion grams of CO2—a footprint equal to driving to the moon 12,000 times.
- Using Facebook: Facebook’s 1.7 billion daily active users generate approximately 1.3 billion grams of CO2 per day—equal to driving to the moon 13 times.
- Conducting Google searches: With 3.5 billion searches daily, Google’s carbon emissions reach 700 million grams—equivalent to driving to the moon 7 times.
These figures were eye-opening for our team. They revealed that marketing agency sustainability has untapped opportunities when it comes to reducing impacts without compromising on results.
How the Climate Fresk is helping us shape the future
Participating in the Climate Fresk helped clarify what we’re doing well as a sustainable marketing agency and where improvements are needed. Marketing sustainability has been a long-standing focus at Xanthos; we’re committed to achieving net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, aligning ourselves with long-term goals set by the Milbank Group and going 15 years ahead of government targets.
We believe that working on our sustainability in digital marketing benefits not only the environment but also our clients. By committing to sustainable marketing strategies like ethical practices and efficient resource usage, Xanthos ensures every action reflects responsibility and care.
Why other businesses should take part
Understanding the science behind climate change is the first step in creating meaningful change, both within and beyond the organisation. The Climate Fresk workshop is simple to organise but delivers profound and lasting insights for your team.
Key benefits of hosting a Climate Fresk workshop:
- Empowers teams with climate knowledge that drives informed decisions.
- Builds team connection through participatory learning that builds trust and collaboration.
- Develops a sustainability mindset that influences business practices while inspiring employees to incorporate greener habits at home.
- Encourages actionable change by mapping the next steps for aligning operations with sustainability goals.
Taking part in the Climate Fresk is not just a tick-box exercise—it’s a vital investment in the planet’s future and a way to strengthen your business by embedding sustainability into your core operations.
To schedule a dedicated Climate Fresk for your organisation, visit the Climate Fresk Website.
Sustainability is a shared responsibility
For us at Xanthos Digital, the Climate Fresk workshop wasn’t just an event; it was a turning point. It encouraged introspection and action, helping us build on our commitment to carrying out the essential work of sustainable marketing agencies.
That said, this isn’t a challenge we can tackle alone. Climate change requires collaboration, innovation, and shared accountability. That’s why we encourage every business to take part in a Climate Fresk. Together, we can transform insights into actions that matter—not just for our organisations but for every future generation.
Are you ready to take your first step toward a more sustainable future? Book a Climate Fresk workshop today and make an impact that lasts.
