Ardea Eco-innovation: Case Study

three&six: Pioneering Sustainability in Digital Marketing

Introduction three&six is a digital marketing organisation specialising in hotel and resort marketing. Operating remotely across the UK and the US, the company delivers detailed media plans and full digital marketing strategies. Despite being a digital-first business, three&six recognises the environmental impact of its operations and is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through targeted emissions reductions and strategic sustainability initiatives.

Carbon Footprint Assessment A comprehensive carbon footprint assessment was conducted following the UK Government Carbon Reduction Plan and GHG Protocol standards. Given the nature of three&six’s operations, emissions were primarily assessed under Scope 3, as the company has no direct (Scope 1) or purchased electricity (Scope 2) emissions. The breakdown is as follows:

  • Scope 1: 0% (No fuel consumption from company-owned operations)

  • Scope 2: 0% (Electricity usage falls under Scope 3 due to remote working)

  • Scope 3: 100%, broken down as follows:

    • Business travel: 92%

    • Employee commuting (including remote work energy consumption): 8%

The largest contributor to three&six’s carbon footprint was international business travel, accounting for the vast majority of emissions.

Strategic Response In response to these findings, three&six has developed a sustainability strategy focusing on:

  1. Reducing Business Travel – Prioritising virtual meetings and minimising air travel where possible.

  2. Employee Engagement – Offering incentives for energy-efficient home working practices to reduce indirect electricity emissions.

  3. Expanding Scope 3 Calculation – Incorporating additional categories such as online advertising emissions to provide a more comprehensive carbon assessment.

  4. Website Optimisation – Reducing digital energy consumption by improving website efficiency and minimising data processing loads.

Commitment to Net Zero three&six has set a Net Zero target for 2045, with a commitment to:

  • Reducing emissions by at least 10% per year, with an immediate focus on reducing air travel in 2024.

  • Expanding Scope 3 calculations from five to ten categories to ensure a more complete emissions picture.

  • Offsetting 100% of annual emissions through verified carbon offset projects aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Providing carbon education training to employees to increase sustainability awareness and encourage eco-friendly practices.

Conclusion three&six is taking proactive steps to mitigate its environmental impact while continuing to deliver high-quality digital marketing services. By optimising operations, engaging stakeholders, and committing to ongoing reductions, three&six is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable digital marketing and contributing to broader global climate goals.