The MRS Net Zero Pledge asks signatories to make four commitments towards ensuring their organisations are sustainable by 2026. This includes achieving net zero emissions, publishing carbon emissions data, collaborating across the sector and encouraging call outs on environmental concerns.
FlexMR are proud to have signed the Market Research Net Zero pledge, reflecting our commitment to sustainable practices both within and beyond the insight industry. This marks a key step in our journey to creating a better future. It forms a significant part of our ongoing commitment to our staff, ensuring everybody at FlexMR is able to be a part of positive change within the sector.
In taking this action, we are joining 80+ market research firms within the UK who are committed to reducing emissions from research activities. We are honoured to be in good company – with a diverse array of firms that collectively will be able to create a greener industry, that better reflects modern environmental concerns.
Signatories of the pledge believe that human driven climate change is now a problem which can no longer be ignored. We believe our businesses, and the insight industry in general, have a key role to play in the transformations of business and society that are needed to create a sustainable future. Specifically, by signing the pledge, we have agreed to the following commitments:
- Making our business net zero by 2026.
- Tracking and publishing our carbon emissions, working to reduce and offset those emissions and publishing these figures annually in the industry report.
- Collaborating across our sector and beyond, to share learnings and best practice to achieve the above goals.
- Supporting and encouraging conversations and call outs by our employees, partners and clients about environmental concerns and viewpoints.
Paul Hudson, CEO of FlexMR commented, “It’s incumbent on businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to take responsibility for the global challenges that threaten the world today. As a company based in the rural Northwest of England, we have always enjoyed a reciprocal relationship with our local environment and the benefits that nature provides. That is something we must act to protect, even in an increasingly connected and globalised world.”
To make the most of this opportunity, FlexMR have appointed their Senior Research Executive, David Seed, as the firm's first ever Green Officer; in this new role, David will work closely with senior management to review current sustainability policies and create new ones where opportunities arise to help the company and it's staff to rise to the occasion and become net-zero by 2026.
Joining the Net Zero Pledge reflects only one part of our commitment to building a better research sector. FlexMR is also a signatory of the Market Research Society Inclusion Pledge, has implemented a robust CSR programme and holds our practices under constant review. Additionally, we have pioneered the introduction of mental health days for all employees, developed an innovative staff representative programme, and aims to achieve deliver a successful triple bottom line.
Gareth Bowden, Head of People and Culture, added, “Achieving net zero is a substantive first step in a journey that requires substantial innovation and reimagining of the role of business in modern society. I’m proud that FlexMR, and so many other research organisations, have committed to this important act – and thankful for the support of the MRS Sustainability Council and Insight Climate Collective in facilitating fast action.”
About the MRS
The Market Research Society (MRS) is the UK professional body for research, insight and analytics. The MRS recognises 5,000 individual members and over 500 accredited Company Partners in over 50 countries who are committed to delivering outstanding insight. As the regulator, the body promotes the highest professional standards throughout the sector via the MRS Code of Conduct.
About FlexMR
FlexMR is the Insights Empowerment Company. The hybrid consumer insights agency and cloud platform provider develops thriving insight communities that streamline online research and enable customer-centric decision making. Since launching the InsightHub platform, FlexMR have connected UK marketing, research and product teams to 300,000+ customers across the globe. Today, the platform supports robust data collection, analysis and activation workflows to empower informed decisions at the speed of business.
