Wherever you are on your sustainability journey, AXON can help you go from ambition to action to acclaim.

As healthcare communications specialists, we are driven by science, and the science is clear: the world needs rapid and wide-reaching action to protect the planet, people and economies. At AXON we believe it’s critical that the healthcare industry takes a leading role in this global priority, and we are here to support healthcare partners who are delivering a more sustainable future.

Sustainable development is not always easy, and the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the interconnectivity between human and planetary health. The pandemic has driven changes in global behaviours and motivations that have led to positive and negative impacts as it relates to identifying and improving sustainable practices.

Now more so than ever, sustainable development should be viewed as a journey that we’re all on. And every great outcome starts with one small step.

T H E H E A LT H C A R E P E R S P E C T I V E

S U S TA I N A B L E D E V E LO P M E N T

The healthcare industry exists to deliver good health and wellbeing to all people on this planet. Without healthcare, and equitable access to healthcare, delivering on sustainable development goals will not be possible.

In this way, healthcare players at every level are vital to delivering a sustainable future for all. But like any industry, healthcare has an impact on our planet and the people that call it home. Members of the healthcare sector have a responsibility to act in a way that protects the health of current and future generations, minimises environmental impacts and delivers social justice.

The good news is that progress is already underway to deliver a sustainable healthcare sector, as leaders recognise that environmental and social governance isn’t simply a box to be ticked, but that fundamental behavioural changes are needed. Sustainable development should be integrated into the fabric of organisations, their operations, objectives and culture. Furthermore, progress in these areas must be effectively communicated to demonstrate commitment and leadership, and serve as an example for others to follow.

The UN defines sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future, across three key pillars: people, the planet, and the economy.

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Communications is a powerful lever on the path to sustainability, helping organisations overcome barriers to progress, demonstrate leadership, and successfully facilitate and accelerate behavioural change.

As a healthcare communications specialist agency, AXON pulls upon these levers on a daily basis to help our clients create effective communications that achieve meaningful results. We help our clients consider the key pillars to behavioural change – opportunity, motivation and capability – and help put messages and activities in place to addressthese aspects.

COMMUNICATIONS AS A LEVER TO FACILITATE AND ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS

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AXON SUSTAINABILITY GROUPA X O N ’ S A P P R O A C H T O S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

Based on our discussions with stakeholders from across the healthcare landscape, including pharmaceutical and biotech companies, healthcare professionals, patient organisations, non-governmental organisations and academia, it is clear that sustainability is already a priority at a top-level, or is becoming increasingly important.

And while every individual, community, organisation, and country has a role to play in helping the world achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by 2030, the impact of industrial sectors varies. Research shows that the healthcare sector has the highest potential impact on the success of the UN SDGs. Therefore, we can see this as greater responsibility and opportunity for those of us operating in the healthcare space to drive progress for people and the planet.

We believe that for the healthcare industry, sustainability is ultimately about the responsible development, production and distribution of healthcare – from cradle to grave – in a way that respects the planet and the people and nature that call it home.

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AXON’S APPROACH

AXON’S APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNICATIONS

Wherever you are on your sustainability journey, AXON can help you go from ambition to action to acclaim.

And for those brands looking to 'up their game', AXON can help you elevate your impact and foster long-term success.

The AXON Sustainability Group offers a range of expertise and services to help your organisation achieve and communicate progress in the area of sustainability. This includes driving employee engagement, changing perceptions and behaviours, influencing internal decision-makers and stakeholders, supporting inclusivity, crafting compelling narratives, hosting responsible events, measuring and communicating impact, and much more.

J O I N T H E J O U R N E Y

DELIVER SOPHISTICATED AND IMPACTFUL PROGRAMMES

• Successfully activating sustainabilityinitiatives entails working with multipleinternal and external stakeholders, andeffectively communicating with themto create lasting perception andbehavioural change.

• Guided by principles rooted in behaviouralscience, AXON can support buildingand implementing sustainabilityinitiatives, while managing reputationand relationships.

GAIN INSIGHTS AND FORM STRATEGIES THAT DELIVER IMPACT

• The world is rapidly shifting to prioritisesustainability, and organisations have acritical role to play – but it can be hardto know where to start.

• AXON can help you understand thelandscape and perceptions aroundyour current position, assess where yourbusiness is best positioned to make themost impact, and use those learningsto inform your plans and increase yourchances of success.

SET NEW PRECEDENTS AND SHOWCASE YOUR LEADERSHIP

• The most sustainable action is one that inspires others to follow suit. Leaders in sustainability are emerging, laying the groundwork and setting precedents for other to follow, presenting a clear opportunity for organisations tostand apart.

• AXON can help you communicate your progress and achievements, elevate your profile in sustainability, and add or amplify your voice in the growing body of industry leaders committed to building a better future.

'UP YOUR GAME' – MEASURE, RE-PRIORITISE AND DELIVER YOUR NEXT AMBITION

• Sustainable development doesn’t have afinish line; every new step we take makes adifference, and there is great opportunity tobuild on successes and make new stridestowards even greater gains in sustainability.

• AXON can support those looking to takethe next step and deliver on your nextbig ambition.

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OUR SERVICES

We acknowledge that there is always more to be done, and that AXON is on a pathway of continuous improvement and growth to elevate our sustainability performance. With that in mind, we regularly assess our goals and ambitions to deliver even more progress across our environmental and social performance.

• 100% renewable electrical power in ourLondon, Brighton, Copenhagen andToronto offices

• Zero waste to landfill in our London office

• Paper, can and bottle recycling in 100%of our offices

• IT equipment recycling and reuse schemes

• Responsible pensions available to all

• Carbon offsetting flight policy for client remits

• Diversity and inclusion working group

• Annual charity donation fund

• Pro bono day for all

• Time to Change employer pledge formental health and wellbeing

• 2019 & 2018 Best WorkplacesTM forWomen in the UK

• 2019 Excellence in Wellbeing

AXON IS YOUR SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERAXON wants to be your sustainability partner. We have been taking action to improve and solidify our own environmental and social sustainability across the board – and are now looking to up our game by looking even more closely at our operations and the suppliers we work with.

Through our experiences in driving change within our own operations, we are intimately aware of the process, challenges and opportunities that come with changing beliefs and behaviours in support of sustainable progress.

W H E R E W E A R E N O W

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Thanks to our unique blend of expertise across healthcare, sustainability and communications, we understand the ecosystems you are working within, and the pressures and opportunities that accompany them. By applying this wide-ranging and intersecting knowledge to your sustainability programmes, we can support you in successfully achieving your ambitions and communicating your progress.

RESEARCH AND INTELLIGENCE

• Reputation analysis

• Market intelligence

• Message testing

• Stakeholder mapping

• Impact assessment

• Measurement & evaluation

SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIPS

• Strategy & planning

• Stakeholder relations

• Influencer relations

• Strategic counsel

SUSTAINABILITY STORYTELLING

• Narrative development

• Multichannel campaigns

• Social & digital media

• Creative & content development

• Media relations

SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGE• Employee engagement

• Patient & health advocacy

• Access

• Responsible / 'green' events

SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP AND PROFILE MANAGEMENT

• Corporate communications

• Thought leadership

• Speaker training

• Leadership profile building

• Issues preparedness

• Crisis management

SUSTAINABILITY CREDENTIALS

Beyond our scientific credentials, AXON has a team of experts with specific experience in sustainability and sustainability communications. This unique expertise is a powerful complement to our extensive experience in healthcare communications.

GROUNDED IN SCIENCE

At our core, AXON is an agency grounded in a deep understanding of science. Simplifying complex information is our raison d’être and combining that with our extensive communications expertise enables us to shape your sustainability story in a way that accurately conveys the full richness of your work, in an impactful, understandable, and memorable way.

SPECIALITY COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT

Building on our diverse backgrounds and experiences, AXON provides speciality communications support to our clients to suit their specific needs. Whether you need strategists, content creators, analysts, designers, marketers, coaches, project managers, event planners, consultants, digital experts and more – AXON will build the best specialist team for you.

A GLOBAL NETWORK OF EXPERTS

With an array of agency partners within our AVENIR GLOBAL family of specialist brands, we have access to experts in a multitude of global and local markets who bring different skill sets and areas of expertise.  

INSIGHTS-DRIVEN

We will work with you to understand what you want to achieve, who you need to reach, and how to develop programmes that achieve these goals – all powered by robust insights.

UNDERSTANDING

Every ambitious goal has its challenges. It takes determination and commitment to create, communicate and champion systemic changes to improve sustainability practices within a business. We’re able to support with expertise and empathy as we’re on this mission too.

We know it’s important to strike the right balance between ambition and achievability. We also have a deep understanding of the nuances of the healthcare space, sustainability initiatives and effective communications, which enables us to immediately understand what you may be addressing and seamlessly become your partner on this journey.

As you consider what changes you want to make to create a more sustainable future – and how best to communicate them – know that the AXON Sustainability Group is here to be by your side every step of the way.

EXPERTISE

EMAIL AXONSustainability@axon-com.com

PHONE +44 (0)7794 516 986

WEBSITE axon-com.com

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If you’re ready to join the journey, want to find out more, or just have a chat, we’d love to hear from you.