Sustainability Policy

Evaluated 2025
Approved by: John Guilfoil, Founder and Principal

Introduction

At John Guilfoil Public Relations (JGPR), we recognize our responsibility to lead with integrity and transparency, not just by providing superior communications strategy and client service but in our stewardship of the environment and community. Sustainability is core to our operations, culture, and commitment to future generations.

Guiding Sustainability Principles

JGPR’s sustainability policy is rooted in four key principles:

1. Accountability – We hold ourselves accountable for the environmental impact of our operations.
   
2. Efficiency – We strive to reduce waste and emissions across our services, company vehicles and facilities.
   
3. Education – We inform and empower our team, clients, and communities about sustainable practices.
   
4. Equity – We promote access to sustainability tools and outcomes for all communities, especially those underserved.
   

Operational Commitments

• Digital-First Operations: JGPR prioritizes digital communications, virtual meetings, and cloud-based workflows to minimize paper use, travel emissions and resource consumption.
  
• Remote Workforce Model: We maintain a flexible, remote-friendly culture that reduces commuting-related environmental impact.
  
• Sustainable Procurement: Where physical resources are needed (e.g., event signage, office supplies), we attempt to source recycled, local and certified sustainable products whenever possible.
  
• Waste Reduction: We promote paper recycling and reuse in all physical office locations and encourage clients to adopt similar practices for public events.
  

Client Services and Strategy

• Eco-Friendly Campaigns: We pledge to advise clients on incorporating sustainability into public communications and event planning, including green event practices and accessible digital tools.
  
• Website Optimization: Website hosting is a significant piece of JGPR’s business, and the internet as a whole is a significant contributor to We build and maintain lightweight, low-carbon websites and digital platforms for clients through WordPress and other efficient CMS tools.
  • Cloudflare: JGPR automatically places and requires all company websites and all client websites hosted and managed by JGPR to be placed on Cloudflare services, which – beyond its security protections – can reduce our clients’ website carbon footprint by up to 96% compared to other website infrastructure solutions.
  • Cloudflare’s 2024 Impact Report may be downloaded here
  • Cloudflare’s 2023 Sustainability Index Report may be downloaded here
  • In addition to Cloudflare, JGPR-hosted company and client websites also use 100% carbon-neutral Google Cloud servers. Our two primary web hosting partners, WP Engine and Kinsta, use renewable energy and Google datacenters  powered by 100% renewable energy
  • Kinsta publishes its eco-hosting and sustainability details here
  • WP Engine publishes its sustainability details here
    
• Community Awareness: Through our public affairs and public safety campaigns, we pledge to support awareness of climate resilience, extreme weather preparedness, and local sustainability initiatives.
  

Employee Engagement

• Sustainability Training: All staff receive annual sustainability training and role-specific strategies to reduce ecological impact.
• Volunteer Days: JGPR team leaders may use two half days or one full day of company time to volunteer as a team for any approved environmental volunteer project or civic engagement aligned with this policy.
• Pro Bono: JGPR will provide an annual public relations campaign, news release or social media campaign each year to its clients, which will not count against its clients contractual hours 

Fleet and Facilities

• Hybrid or Electric Fleet: JGPR commits to maintaining a vehicle fleet that is at least 50% hybrid or electric.
  
• Fossil Fuel Free Future: JGPR has implemented a fossil fuel free headquarters in our Groveland, Mass. office by installing a 100% electric heat pump HVAC system. JGPR has also installed Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) its its offices. ERV promote energy conservation and improved indoor air quality. ERVs reduce energy consumption by transferring heat and moisture between incoming and outgoing air, decreasing the load on heating and cooling systems. They also help improve indoor air quality by removing pollutants and controlling humidity, which can reduce the need for energy-intensive dehumidification systems. JGPR also actively promotes fossil fuel free systems in any of its rented facilities. 

Supplier and Vendor Policy Review

JGPR must review the sustainability policies of all vendors and suppliers prior to engaging in business with said vendor or supplier, to ensure it aligns with JGPR’s sustainability goals.

Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually and updated as needed in consultation with firm leadership, client feedback, and emerging best practices.