Leap Media- making a difference, making a living....

Leap Media, a creative design agency in St Austell are championing cutting-edge, design that is also sustainable; addressing the need to tackle climate change as part of our every-day working lives.

Why they are doing things to help the climate....

As a business they recognise that they have a responsibility to limit their own environmental footprint and that they are ideally placed to use their skills and knowledge to help those they work with to do the same.

Matt Hocking is the creative director of Leap Media and strives to do all he can to protect the climate and the environment as a whole. This is partly for personal reasons as he wants his children to grow up in a happy and healthy world. However, he also recognises the wider requirement that as individuals, schools, businesses and communities it is all of our responsibility to do something, however small or seemingly insignificant, to rise to the challenge on these issues. Matt believes strongly that collectively, such small changes can have a huge impact in reducing the threat of future climate change.

What they are doing....

Matt is tacking action at home and at work to reduce carbon emissions. At work and at home, all electricity is purchased from renewable energy resources that provide power without releasing carbon dioxide. Energy consumption is minimised by turning electronic items off whenever not in use, and using energy saving devices. Leap even have a solar mobile phone charger.

He believes that significantly reducing energy consumption is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to begin tackling climate change. You don’t need to make major alterations to see the difference. The right combination of small changes, many costing nothing, can reduce your energy bill and help the climate.

Their working practice goes beyond their own impact on the climate. They insist on using vegetable based inks, low-emission paints and 100% recycled FSC paper, sourcing fairly traded, organic and ethically traded materials; banking ethically and dramatically reducing waste.

Leap's ethos also means sourcing materials from local companies that are also committed, or willing to start, reducing their own impact on the environment, helping to ensure other companies in their supply chain do their bit. As well as keeping transport miles down.

As a design agency, Leap Media works with a diverse client base both in Cornwall and the South West extending to a number of national organisations and their services are in high demand. Leap is careful to work with clients who are willing to make efforts towards increasing their sustainability. To encourage this desire to make a difference, Leap Media offer advice to other companies on a range of sustainability issues, including procurement of print and paper, local service recommendation and renewable energy tariffs.

Why it’s important…..

The only way we will tackle climate change is if every sector of society does something- even something small. Leap Media is a great example of what can be achieved by a small business in Cornwall. Their practical approach to people, the economy and the environment ensures that day to day operations have as little impact as possible and are demonstrative in encouraging other companies to develop similar approaches.

In the UK, about two thirds of our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Whenever these are burnt they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the main gas responsible for climate change. The other third of electricity mainly comes from nuclear power, which has other serious environmental impacts. By contrast, electricity from renewable energy sources that use the natural energy flows of the earth does not have these impacts. Electricity produced in these ways can be considered carbon neutral and therefore help reduce the impact of climate change.

By using local suppliers for over 85% of project work, Leap Media supports the local economy, reduces emissions from transport and helps to keep money within Cornwall. All new products take energy and resources to manufacture, so by reducing, reusing and recycling waste Leap saves on the raw materials and energy which are needed to make new products as well as reducing landfill.

LEAP say that 80% of environmental impact is decided at the design stage!

Further information....

To find out more about Leap Media, the creative solutions they offer, the ways they are reducing their own impact and how they can help other companies do the same, visit their website.

To find out more about buying electricity generated from renewable energy sources you can visit Cornwall Switch. They help domestic customers to find out more about renewable energy and switch to green suppliers. You can also visit the Green Electricity Market Place for detailed information on renewable energy and tariffs for business and domestic customers.

For more information on saving energy in the workplace visit the Carbon Trust. They provide free resources and support to reduce energy use in businesses. You can call them for free on 0800 085 2005 or visit their website.

Another organisation that can help businesses in Cornwall reduce their impact on the climate and the wider environment is Envision. They provide help and support to small and medium size businesses to help audit environmental impacts including energy, water, waste, and transport. Find out more from their website.

Photos courtsey of Leap Media

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