Climate Change Data

Pulsar Group Plc (formerly Access Intelligence Plc)

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2022, 2023)

Reporting Period: 2022

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:704 tCO2e/year (Scope 2)
Scope 1 Emissions:0 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:704 tCO2e/year
Total Energy Consumption:1,051,061 kWh/year

ESG Focus Areas

  • Climate Change
  • Employee Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Customer Privacy
  • Data Security
  • Systemic Risk Management
  • Competitive Behaviour

Environmental Achievements

  • Introduced innovations in recycling and office waste; encouraged low-impact transport (cycle-to-work schemes, walking); invested in sustainable, low-carbon-cost office design.
  • Uses energy-efficient lighting in its two largest offices (London and Sydney).
  • 15,000-litre rainwater storage tank in Sydney office for irrigation; recycled water for fire system testing.

Social Achievements

  • AI Women in Work Group launched; events hosted to promote women's interests.
  • Over 50% female directors in 2022, including female CEO; one director from an ethnic minority background.
  • Maternity pay package exceeding statutory requirements.
  • Access Intelligence LGBTQ+ Network created.
  • Flexible cultural days introduced in 2023.
  • Product Champions initiative launched.
  • Charity partnerships and fundraising activities.

Governance Achievements

  • Complied with all principles of the QCA Code.
  • Annual Board and committee evaluations conducted.
  • Updated whistleblowing policy approved.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Achieve Net Zero.
Medium-term Goals:
  • Set credible carbon reduction goals in line with the SBTi.
  • Agree a proposed timetable for achieving Net Zero.
Short-term Goals:
  • Register with and submit a letter to commit to setting a science-based carbon reduction target with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
  • Establish a Group-wide ESG committee.
  • Refresh and reissue group policies on ESG matters.
  • Finalise a new supplier code of conduct.

Environmental Challenges

  • Economic or political disruption (COVID-19, war in Ukraine, energy supply interruptions, cost-of-living crisis).
  • Competition for customers and employees.
  • Information security risks.
  • Treasury, foreign exchange, and liquidity risks.
  • Key personnel risks.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Diversified geographic operations and technological capabilities.
  • Investment in product R&D, sales/marketing teams, staff training; balanced commission schemes; performance monitoring.
  • Information Security Management System (ISMS) in accordance with ISO/IEC 27001:2013.
  • Weekly cash performance monitoring by territory and currency; initiatives to improve cash collection; forecasting cash requirements.
  • Careful reference checks; performance monitoring; skills training; competitive salaries; option scheme; key personnel as shareholders.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Supplier assessments prior to onboarding and during tenure.
  • Active dialogue with suppliers to increase innovation.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: SASB, UN SDGs

Certifications: ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 9001, Cyber Essentials, GDPR compliant

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 5: Gender equality
  • Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
  • Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
  • Goal 13: Climate action

Actions within the ESG strategy are aligned with these SDGs.

Awards & Recognition

  • Five awards at the AMEC Awards 2022; nominated for a further six.

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:15,775 tCO2e/year (Scope 2 & 3)
Scope 1 Emissions:0 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:3,784 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:12,365 tCO2e/year

ESG Focus Areas

  • Climate Change
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Data Security
  • Customer Privacy
  • Systemic Risk Management
  • Competitive Behaviour
  • Modern Slavery
  • Employee Engagement

Environmental Achievements

  • Introduced innovations in recycling and office waste, encouraging take up of low impact transports including cycle to work schemes, walking to work and investing in sustainable and low-carbon-cost office design.
  • Water fountains & coffee machines to minimise single-use plastics.
  • Recycling bins for glass and plastic.
  • Recycling water in Sydney office using rainwater storage tank and recycled water for fire system testing.

Social Achievements

  • Developed and approved a new ESG strategy.
  • Introduced flexible cultural days, allowing employees to swap in/out national public holidays.
  • Launched a Group-wide awards scheme aligned to revised global values.
  • Partnered with charities to provide pro bono marketing support.
  • Continued landmark public research partnership with Sport New Zealand into women’s participation in sports, and began a similar project with the Victorian Government.
  • Worked with Women in Media and Media Diversity Australia to highlight gender and ethnic diversity in the Australian media landscape.
  • Worked with the Stella Prize literary award on their audit of media for the space given to women and non-binary authors.
  • Launched Product Champions initiative to gather employee feedback on product engagement.
  • Improved UK company maternity and paternity pay and introduced a Group-wide Volunteer Policy.

Governance Achievements

  • Adopted the QCA Code 2018 as its governance framework.
  • Continued to apply the principles in the QCA Code.
  • Undertook internal Board and committee evaluations annually.
  • Established a new Group-wide ESG committee.
  • Refreshed and re-issued Group policies relating to ESG matters.
  • Finalised a new supplier code of conduct.
  • Maintained regular open and robust communications with shareholders.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Achieving Net Zero by 2050.
Medium-term Goals:
  • Setting credible carbon reduction goals in line with the SBTi.
  • Agree a proposed timetable for the Group to achieve Net Zero.
Short-term Goals:
  • Register with and submit a letter to commit to setting a science-based carbon reduction target with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
  • Finalising the composition of a new Group-wide ESG committee.
  • Refreshing and reissuing Group policies relating to a range of ESG matters.
  • Finalising a new supplier code of conduct.

Environmental Challenges

  • Global economic headwinds impacting non-recurring campaign revenue.
  • Slowdown in decision-making at the enterprise level in North America.
  • Pressure on marketing budgets for small and midsize businesses and agencies in certain territories.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Focused investment on territories and activities promising long-term ARR contracts.
  • Developed a healthy pipeline of opportunities in North America.
  • Improved renewal rates and new business win performance.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Comprehensive supplier assessments prior to on-boarding and during their tenure.

Responsible Procurement
  • Supplier Code of Conduct focusing on fairness, coexistence, transparency and co-prosperity.
  • Modern Slavery Statement.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Increased severity of extreme weather events
  • Rising sea levels
  • Rising mean temperatures
Transition Risks
  • Transition to lower carbon economy
  • Requirement for lower emission technology
  • New environmental laws and regulations
Opportunities
  • Reduced operating costs by lowering energy bills
  • Increased demand for cloud solutions that offer net zero
  • Move to more efficient buildings

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: SASB, TCFD

Certifications: ISO/IEC 27001:2013, ISO/IEC 9001, Cyber Essentials, GDPR compliant

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 5: Gender equality
  • Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
  • Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
  • Goal 13: Climate action

Actions within ESG strategy aligned with these SDGs.