Our Manifesto.
Ripples are the instant effect of wind on water and they die down as quickly as they form, as the surface tension of the water dampens their efforts. If a wind blows steadily across a large enough patch of water for a few hours then the ripples become waves and these will not be dampened so easily.
— Tristan Gooley, The Natural Navigator
The Bold Green Strategies Manifesto
Our Guiding Principles
This is our answer to business as usual. In a market saturated with empty promises and performative sustainability, this manifesto is our line in the sand. It is a declaration of our unwavering dedication to authentic action, uncompromising transparency, and the kind of change that matters.
At Bold Green Strategies, we believe a better future is built on a clear purpose and a commitment to action. Our work isn't about ticking boxes; it's a partnership founded on shared values and integrity. Our philosophy is defined by a commitment to doing things authentically, championing collaboration, and cutting through complexity with less jargon and a bias for more action.
This approach empowers us to uncover the potential that already exists within an organisation and ensure our work delivers a genuine and lasting impact. It's a testament to our belief that honest, intentional action is the most powerful story you can tell.
Our Stance on Social Justice and Equity
Sustainability is inseparable from social justice. Environmental damage disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, and progress requires addressing these systemic inequities. Our work is guided by the principle that a just transition to a sustainable future must benefit everyone, not just a privileged few. We will not partner with organisations that have a documented history of human rights abuses or are in sectors fundamentally incompatible with a sustainable future, such as fossil fuel exploration or systemic labour exploitation.
Our Role: The Power of an Independent Voice
The value we bring as an external assurance partner is paramount, which is why we’ve chosen not to take on in-house roles. Being an independent voice allows us to provide objective insights that directly increase the accuracy and credibility of your reported data, contribute to stakeholder confidence, and verify your internal processes and methodologies. Ultimately, this independence underscores your genuine commitment to transparency and accountability while minimising potential greenwashing and other reputational risks.
Beyond the benefits for individual organisations, our larger mission is to be a key player in decarbonising sectors. We achieve this by partnering with multiple businesses, ensuring our expertise has a much wider reach and influence.
We believe that sector-wide progress will only be achieved when companies look beyond their own siloed approaches and work together. A collective effort towards decarbonisation will always be more impactful than working in isolation.
Our Core Standards
We partner with organisations that are ready to go beyond surface-level efforts and formalise their commitment to profound and lasting change.
Consistent Integrity. We believe an organisation's public values must be consistently reflected in its private actions. We are explicit that a commitment to the Triple Bottom Line must be a core part of an organisation's operations, not just its public image. We work with clients whose external messaging aligns with their internal practices, and whose public claims of social impact are reflected in how they treat their collaborators and suppliers.
Radical Accountability. We believe good PR is the natural result of genuine action. Our expertise is a catalyst for systemic change, and it is that very authenticity that makes us a real asset for your brand. Our partnership begins with a commitment to honesty. We require full transparency on your organisation's challenges and will not act as a cover for past practices or misleading claims. Accountability is not an option; it is the foundation of our collaboration.
Taking Responsibility. Our partnership model is built on two essential pillars: our expertise and your leadership. We provide the guidance, strategy, and dedicated support to address your challenges. In turn, we expect our partners to bring the internal drive and ownership needed to turn advice into action. It is this powerful combination that unlocks genuine, sustainable progress.
Respect is Non-Negotiable. We welcome partners who believe, as we do, that a successful collaboration is built on mutual respect from the very first interaction. While we are committed to a flexible and collaborative process, we will not compromise on our standards for clients who fail to demonstrate respect for our time, our boundaries, or our professional expertise.
The Power of Narrative. We believe that a genuine, authentic narrative is at the heart of every good sustainability strategy. We help you uncover the truth of your actions and commitments, turning them into a powerful and credible story that drives change.
Our Definition of Success
We measure success by the depth of the change we help create. For us, success is measured by:
Tangible reductions in your carbon footprint, not just plans to achieve them.
The measurable improvement of your social impact, from fair wages to community investment.
The public and internal credibility of your sustainability efforts.
The confidence your stakeholders have in your genuine, transparent progress.
Our Stance on Professional Engagement
Our knowledge is a powerful catalyst for positive change, and we have a firm stance on how we share it.
We Believe in Professional Courtesy. There’s a simple irony we’ve seen too often: an organisation will approach us to help with social value and sustainability, yet lack the most basic professional courtesy of a response. We believe the principles you’re committed to in your work must extend to your relationships. A professional response to a proposal isn’t just a formality—it’s a sign of an organisation's integrity and respect for professional labour.
Our Expertise is for Genuine Partners. An organisation's search for a partner must be rooted in genuine intent. We believe it is a fundamental contradiction to use a proposal process to secure free ideas or leverage our proposal to put pressure on an incumbent. Our expertise is for clients who are serious about true partnership, and we require honest engagement as the only basis for a successful collaboration.
Why We Don't Do "Pay-to-Play". We do not engage in "pay-to-play" speaking opportunities. It’s a model that devalues expertise and creates a financial barrier to entry, limiting the range of voices and perspectives in our industry. We are committed to promoting equity, and we refuse to participate in a system that undermines the very diversity it needs.
Why We Don't Do "Pick Your Brain" Requests. We believe that our knowledge is our most valuable asset. A "pick your brain" request, while often well-intentioned, can be a way of seeking free strategic advice under the guise of an informal chat. We are committed to a partnership model based on mutual respect, where professional value is recognised from the very first interaction.
Why We Don’t Do Third-Party Introductions. We do not provide introductions or share access to our client network. Our commitment to confidentiality is absolute, and we believe it is the foundation of a secure and trusted partnership.
Our Position on Fees
Our reputation and results speak for themselves. We believe a clear purpose is a powerful commercial asset, and our expertise helps clients prove it. Our fees are a direct reflection of the value we consistently deliver. Constant negotiation is a red flag that reveals a fundamental misalignment with the type of partnership we offer. As a small business, we are committed to investing our energy in partnerships that are built on mutual respect and fair compensation.
Our Collaborative Approach
We are your strategic partner on the journey to authentic change.
We are Hands-On Collaborators. We embed seamlessly with your team, providing expert support from conception to completion. Using our Sustainability Fantasy Wishlist approach, we provide the tools and guidance to help you turn your ambitions into tangible, celebrated achievements.
We Bring a Direct Approach. We believe that meaningful action begins with clear, unambiguous language. By applying SMART objectives to every project, we provide the strategic roadmap to turn your complex goals into measurable, impactful results that you can be proud to showcase . This includes providing Net Zero Strategy, certifications including B Corp and ISO 14001, and Sustainability Reporting.
We are a Catalyst for Change. The world of sustainability is complex. We simplify it by combining a wide range of specialisms under one roof, providing a holistic, full-service approach that is a rare asset in the industry.
Our Approach to Education
As proud facilitators and champions of the Carbon Literacy Project, we believe that education is the foundation of lasting change. We are also guided by a broader philosophy of hands-on learning: we build training programmes that can include activities such as bat walks, foraging, fermentation classes, and beach cleans; it’s important to feel connected to the nature we’re trying to protect.
A Call to Action
This manifesto is an invitation to collaborate on a new standard of partnership. Our principles are the compass that separates talk from action. They are the guiding lights that connect us with partners who are ready to drive authentic change. We believe that authentic change is the most powerful narrative, and we are ready to help you build it.