“I can highly recommend Vu, they are an awesome design agency. I have worked with very many design agencies over twenty years and this team has simply been remarkable.”
Josian Phillips, TEDct
Why sustainability matters to us
Living and working in the stunning landscapes of South Devon is a privilege, especially given the region’s vast potential for wildlife regeneration and restoration of natural habitats.
As a marketing agency, we recognise our unique position to contribute to this effort. We aim to help forward-thinking organisations acknowledge that we all have a role in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises.
The technology we use has an environmental footprint, by integrating renewable energy, waste reduction, and eco-friendly design, we can help minimise carbon footprints and support a circular economy.
We also believe it’s more important than ever for marketers to be intentional about the stories they tell. Marketing has a critical role to play in helping society move away from extractive practices and towards a regenerative, sustainable economy.
Targets & Progress
| Achieved | Pipeline |
| Carbon footprint measurement working with PlanetMark. | Get to net zero by 2030. |
| Carbon reduction and offsetting with South Pole. | Review all our suppliers, energy and transport usage. |
| Achieved BCorp accreditation. | We’re aiming to start the ISO Accreditation 14001 process in 2030. |
| Contributed funds to the Devon Environment Foundation and Moor Trees to help support their work in regenerating Devon’s ecosystems. | We are actively learning about regenerative business with a view to adopting a regenerative model for everything we do. |
| Set up a business network to discover and share best practice around regenerative business and sustainability. | We’re helping our staff to live more sustainably by offering cycle to work schemes, support for renewable energy tariffs and sustainability training. |
| Adopted a hybrid working model for the long term, significantly reducing our energy usage and cutting business travel. | Increase the work we do for organisations of social or environmental impact. |
| Changed our hosting services to 100% renewable energy powered supplier and externally verified through The Green Web Foundation. | Put as much profit back as possible into local regenerative nature projects. |
2025
This year, we’ve reduced the average size of the web applications we build by around 50%. This reflects a steady shift towards cleaner, more efficient work, with the typical Vu-built website now lighter than the global average.
Alongside this, we’ve steadily increased the number of volunteer days we take part in, the proportion of the team getting involved, and the amount we raise for charity.
2024
We became a BCorp!
We contributed £3,482 in total charitable donations in the financial year which was 1.3% of our turnover.
Vu ran multiple local nature-positive events and 6 online knowledge shares. 84% of the team said they were engaged with Vu and its values, and two of the team slept out under the stars to raise money for the homeless.
2023
2023 marked the beginning of Vu Online’s journey to becoming a B-Corp. We donated £3,690 to Devon-based environmental charities and 33% of its team volunteered time for causes with social or environmental impact.
By changing the way we work, our PlanetMark Certification demonstrates a massive 58.8% reduction in absolute carbon and 63.5% per employee.
Our Impact Report highlights include benchmarks for team satisfaction and values alignment, with 87% team happiness and 75% engagement with company values. Additionally, 9% of their clients have a social impact focus, and 10% are environmentally driven.
Carbon reduction and offsetting with South Pole to offset 9x our measured emissions.
2022
Vu Online has committed to achieving Net Zero by 2025 and is tracking Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. We commissioned Dr Gillian Alker to undertake a review and make recommendations of how we may be able to hit our targets.
The company established the Positive Nature Network to foster collaboration on sustainability issues and facilitate volunteer days for local businesses. And implemented renewable energy hosting as standard.
Carbon reduction and offsetting with South Pole to offset 4x our measured emissions.
FAQs
We originally set this as a target for 2025, deliberately ambitious to encourage action. We are actively measuring and reducing its carbon footprint through Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions data.
We have achieved big reductions in absolute carbon, though 1.3 tCO2e remains to be cut. Last year Vu offset 9 times their annual emissions.
Vu actively supports Devon-based environmental charities, donating £3,690 in in the last financial year.
Additionally, the team volunteer time to social and environmental causes and setup the Positive Nature Network, facilitating volunteer days and creating partnerships that promote sustainability between local businesses.
Employee satisfaction is now measured, with 87% of the team expressing happiness in their work. Vu tries to promote strong value alignment, with 75% of employees engaged in the organisation’s mission.
Vu offers volunteer opportunities, fitness and sustainability budgets, and additional perks like NHS top-up and Cycle to Work schemes.
We try to work closely with clients who share a commitment to social and environmental goals. Last year, 9% of our clients had a clear social impact, and 10% were focused on environmental causes.
We use our marketing expertise to amplify the positive work of these organisations, ensuring that your missions align with this and helping create a wider community of positive impact.
No, Vu works with a variety of clients, regardless of their focus on social or environmental causes.
While we are passionate about supporting businesses with a clear impact in these areas, we are open to working with organisations from all sectors.
For over a decade our goal is to help every client succeed with various technical and marketing challenges, we dont insist clients have already made a commitment to having a positive purpose, but we will encourage businesses to adopt social and sustainable practices where possible and are always excited to collaborate on projects that align with our values.
What do Vu stand for?
Vu is a Devon digital marketing agency delivering positive change for organisations and small businesses. We prioritise good work, people, sustainable business and environment because we choose to.
Let’s Make a Start
