A growing young research agency based in Harrogate, Harlow Consulting, is urging the business community to step up to help tackle climate change.
The agency, which donates a percentage of its annual turnover to the World Land Trust, has been recognised as a valued and significant supporter in the charity’s Annual Report.
The leading research consultancy was established by Jennifer Brennan and Clare Vokes in 2019, motivated to create a business that invested in its people, and the planet, while delivering innovative, value-driven research work.
Jennifer Brennan, director of Harlow Consulting, said: “It might feel you’re a million miles away from the climate crisis sat at a desk in the UK, but turn on the news on any given day and you’ll know we can’t afford to sit back. We all have an environmental impact, whether we drive, use a laptop, mobile phone, or use air con in the work place. Even if you’re too busy running your business, there are easy steps you can take, like supporting organisations like the World Land Trust to protect biodiverse habitat and help offset your organisation’s carbon footprint. If businesses act collectively, we can make a difference.”
The World Land Trust’s 2022 Annual Report, which was released this month, shows it has delivered 60 projects in 27 countries in the last year. The charity is known for its transformative conservation work against a backdrop of planetary crises.
Tracey Butler, corporate partnerships manager, World Land Trust, said: “Our Annual Report highlights the incredible impact being delivered by WLT supporters, and we are grateful for the commitment of supporters like Harlow Consulting. By raising funds for our international partners, who work with their local communities, business supporters help deliver nature-based solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss. Through collective action, the business community can truly make a difference at this pivotal time for the planet.”
Clare Vokes, director of Harlow Consulting, said: “We’ve all seen the extraordinary temperature in Europe, flash flooding, storms and fires decimating human lives, our landscape and wildlife. As a mission-driven and values-led organisation, giving back to the environment is important to us.”
Harlow Consulting is known for its positive initiatives in the workplace. It was highly commended in the Harrogate Business Awards 2023 for the Employee Health and Wellbeing Award.
This summer it announced five Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) focuses: food poverty, animal welfare, community, hospice support and environmental causes.
The research agency offers staff a wellbeing allowance, volunteering days, adheres to the Mindful Employer Charter and has made the Mental Health at Work Commitment.
It also supports local environmental causes. This July, the team took part in a Wild Work Day for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust at Staveley Nature Reserve.
Harlow Consulting has signed the Market Research Society Net Zero Pledge and is working with Positive Planet to offset emissions. All employees attend carbon literacy training and receive certification.
The research agency works across a wide variety of sectors including construction, heritage, and healthcare. They also work extensively in the education sector, and develop qualifications, standards, and apprenticeship frameworks. Clients include the NHS, Historic England, and Skills Development Scotland. Its findings inform strategic and policy developments, and help to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
In 2022, the World Land Trust protected 71,713 ha of threatened habitats.
