Why An Environmental Strategy?
While Portable is already a certified B Corporation, the agency recognised the importance of being more intentional about its environmental goals. By openly sharing its approach and progress, Portable aims to inspire others in the industry to take action and amplify the collective impact on environmental sustainability.
Harvey worked with Portable to develop their environmental strategy. The key steps included identifying the need, establishing a working group, engaging stakeholders, gathering insights through staff surveys and industry interviews, developing a framework, and testing and refining the strategy.
The strategy is divided into four phases, each with a set of initiatives categorised under the domains of organisation, product/team, and individuals. These initiatives range from short-term, low-cost actions to long-term goals requiring more investment. They cover areas such as carbon footprint measurement, waste reduction, renewable energy adoption, public reporting, and staff engagement.
The initiatives aim to accelerate sustainable ways of living, encourage sector change, reduce waste and emissions, align with the broader business strategy, support sustainable innovations, and verify and demonstrate impact.
Gathering insights
A number of key activities were undertaken to support the effective gathering of insights.
The working group undertook various activities to gather insights and perspectives. We conducted a survey across the organisation to understand current views and potential directions.
Findings from the staff survey were then synthesised to draw out perspectives and ideas for initiatives within the strategy.
Industry Interviews and B Corp assessment review
Additionally, Harvey and Portable conducted interviews with industry leaders to get insight into the current state of the sector and learn about different strategic approaches to supporting the environment.
Portable assessed their B Corp certification to identify areas of alignment and opportunities for improvement.
This evaluation helped inform the strategy development process and generated ideas for how Portable could take further steps to improve their environmental impacts in line with the existing B Corp framework.
The Harvey team were smart and considered
“The Harvey team were smart and considered. They carefully consulted with our team, working group and leadership team to define a strategy we are 100% backing. The end result is clear roadmap of actions that we are already implementing. We know where we should focus our efforts to have the greatest impact.” - Andrew Apostola, CEO Portable
Developing a framework
Through desktop research and a workshop, Harvey examined different sustainability frameworks, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and frameworks adopted by local organisations. Based on our analysis and purpose-fit considerations, we developed a customised framework to guide Portable's sustainability and environmental initiatives.
The framework separates initiatives into three domains within the business:
- My work / way of living / as individuals
- Our work / area of impact / as project teams
- How we work / operations / as an organisation
This helps to clarify where the action is taking place and who is responsible for each initiative.
Get your workshop template for mapping initiatives across domains here!
Testing and refinement
We tested the framework through workshops and discussions with the senior leadership team. We designed and assessed potential initiatives based on an impact spectrum, mapping these initiatives to determine implementation timing and priorities:
- Compliance — Meeting requirements.
- Certification — Meeting the B Corp standards on environment.
- Champions — High B Corp score on the environment, taking further steps to improve environmental impact.
- Custodians — Leading change in the industry.
Reflections & Outcomes
By splitting the strategy into three domains—individual, team, and organisation—the strategy emphasises accountability and involvement at all levels. This approach aims to foster a collective responsibility for driving environmental outcomes. It aims to shift the focus from a single person's responsibility to a shared effort.
The strategy development process allowed Portable to engage stakeholders, gather insights, and create a purpose-fit framework. It enabled the organisation to be intentional about their environmental goals, align their language with clients and staff, and mitigate potential misinterpretations.
By taking a proactive, strategic approach to its environmental impact, Portable seeks to create positive and lasting change internally, while also inspiring others in the industry to follow suit.
