Dentsu International has released its 2020 Social Impacts Report showing progress in a number of social and environmental categories. The report highlights the integration of the group’s social impact strategy into business services and operations.

Dentsu reported strong results against its environmental and social targets and achieved both RE100 accreditation for its sourcing of 100% renewable electricity and external validation of its 2030 Net Zero target by the Science-Based Target Initiative.

“I continue to be so impressed by our team’s commitment to our Social Impact agenda and goals, and this report demonstrates our ability to deliver on these ambitious targets as we take our place in The Decade of Action,” said Wendy Clark Global CEO, dentsu international.

“I would like to thank our people, our clients and our partners for their radical collaboration to make this happen and for believing that through shared action we can build value for society, as well as a profitable, sustainable and inclusive business,” she added.

Key Findings:

• Reducing absolute carbon emissions by 39% across its operations in 2019, putting dentsu well ahead of target to achieve its Net Zero target for Scope 1 and 2 emissions
• Achieving full RE100 status by switching 100% of operations to renewable electricity (where markets allow).
• Supporting young people and women disproportionately affected by COVID-19 by moving the company’s flagship global diversity and digital social impact programs online, reaching almost 30,000 young people and 105 entrepreneurs since launch
• Increasing the number of women at the leadership level to 35%, with a new commitment for women to hold half of all senior executive positions by 2025.
• Reaching 3.7bn people in collaboration with its clients, through campaigns related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Embedding sustainability into its business model including ESG KPIs in the executive balanced scorecard and sustainability into leadership behaviours.

“2020 was a pivotal year for dentsu. The pandemic forced a strategic rethink and an agile response. In a year where we couldn’t be together physically, our people came together to deliver strong results across the board. What’s clear now is that action on climate change and protecting nature are inseparable from progress on equality and global health and we must accelerate action,” said Anna Lungley, Chief Sustainability Officer, dentsu international.

“At dentsu we recognise the huge opportunity and responsibility we have to raise awareness, influence human and societal behaviour and to collaborate with our clients to transform business models. Together we can inspire people everywhere to a new way of living.”

Focusing on its 2030 Social Impact strategy, the report highlights how dentsu is aiming to help one billion people make better, more sustainable choices by 2030, and integrating sustainable behaviors into core services and campaign development.