OUR SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT

LEADING WITH HEART. INNOVATING WITH PURPOSE. CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW.

At Ainoa, sustainability is not just a checkbox or a buzzword for us—it’s the very soul of who we are. We believe that business can and must be a force for good: for our people, our planet, and the communities we serve. Every decision we make, every project we take on, and every relationship we build is rooted in empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to lasting positive impact.

Our Responsibility as a Marketing Agency

As a creative and communications agency, we fully understand the profound impact that psychology-backed marketing can have, not only on businesses but on people and communities worldwide. Marketing isn’t neutral; it shapes behaviours, drives demand, and can either contribute to destruction or foster positive change. Products and services promoted irresponsibly can harm the planet, exploit people, and deepen inequalities.

Because of this responsibility, our approach is rooted in purpose and integrity. We:

Partner exclusively with clients whose values align with sustainability and inclusivity.
Hold ourselves and our clients to the highest ethical standards—rejecting greenwashing and shortcuts.
Embed sustainability goals into every stage of our work, from campaign strategy and creative concepts to client education and transparent reporting.
Empower brands to forge authentic, empathetic connections with their audiences through honesty and social responsibility.

By doing this, we use our skills and influence to support businesses that contribute to a healthier planet and more equitable communities.

We nurture a workplace where mental health, emotional well-being, and inclusivity are front and centre. We embrace diversity in all its forms, celebrate every identity, and ensure fair pay and opportunities for all team members. We actively seek to amplify underrepresented voices, fostering leadership roles for women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities.

We take concrete steps to reduce our environmental footprint—from carbon offsetting to digital-first operations and conscious consumption. Our remote-first model means less travel and no physical offices, dramatically shrinking our impact while empowering our team with flexibility and balance.

OUR PROMISE TO PEOPLE AND PLANET

HOW WE WALK THE TALK

Caring for the Environment

Carbon Neutral Commitment: We offset 120% of our Scope 1–3 emissions through verified projects via Ecologi.
Paperless by Design: We keep paper usage to a minimum by avoiding printing and by encouraging digital communication within our company and with clients.
Remote Work Culture: We cut down on unnecessary travel by embracing remote work and virtual meetings, which helps lower our carbon footprint. In line with our commitment to environmental responsibility, we have chosen not to maintain any physical offices.
Client Partnerships: We help clients make eco-conscious marketing choices and vet sustainability claims rigorously to avoid greenwashing.
Sustainable Wardrobe: Embracing our sustainability ethos, our team opts for second-hand Ainoa-coloured attire, reinforcing our commitment to conscious consumption.

Championing Social Responsibility & Inclusion

Diverse Hiring & Leadership: We prioritise hiring from diverse backgrounds and empower women and marginalised communities in leadership roles.
Disability-Friendly: Our workspace and culture ensure accessibility and support for team members with disabilities.
Living Wage Employer: We pay fair, living wages across our entire team and contractors.
Advocacy & Support: We actively support LGBTQ+ causes, provide pro bono marketing aid to sustainable non-profits, and participate in community events like Pride. Discover our latest pro bono scheme for trans women here.

Building Community & Impact

Client Education: We guide clients to embrace sustainability and inclusivity best practices and insist on transparency in all collaborations.
Client Transparency: We ask clients to supply solid evidence to back up their marketing claims, ensuring transparency and integrity in our collaborations.
Social Initiatives: We dedicate time and budget to volunteering, pro bono work, and community events that amplify social and environmental progress.

OUR AMBITIOUS VISION

Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. At Ainoa, we are building bold projects like the Co-Living & Working Hub—affordable, accessible homes and sustainable workspaces and offices designed for vulnerable communities and eco-conscious businesses. This initiative embodies our values, blending social impact, community, and environmental responsibility.

Core Goals

Affordable, Safe Housing: We’re committed to providing homes for women, POC, trans people, and other vulnerable communities, with rents capped based on income and accessibility at the forefront. A key part of this vision is rescuing and revitalising an old office building or apartment, transforming it into welcoming and sustainable homes and offices.
Sustainable Workspace: Our hub offers office spaces exclusively to sustainable businesses, creating a vibrant ecosystem of ethical enterprises and vulnerable communities working side by side.
Community & Growth: Beyond bricks and mortar, this hub will be a thriving centre for mentorship, workshops, networking, and shared resources, connecting residents and tenants to grow together.

Environmental Leadership

The hub is designed with cutting-edge green technologies: solar power, water conservation, recycled materials, aiming for top certifications like LEED Platinum or BREEAM Outstanding.
It will serve as a replicable model for sustainable urban living, with plans to expand to other European cities after 2030.

Investing in Impact

We dedicate 20% of our profits towards developing this project, alongside grants and impact investments.
We’re looking to launch pilot housing by 2028, scaling steadily while balancing financial sustainability and inclusivity.