Doing our bit to help the planet

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Following a surge in climate activism, the climate emergency is now established in the top five most important issues facing the UK today, at around the same level as the economy.

So, what’s the big deal? In a survey, 69% of UK respondents could not think of a brand that is​ taking a lead in tackling​ climate change. But we know this is not the case. So, here’s a list of businesses driving positive change and campaigns that are raising awareness!

Wins for the Planet

  • Unilever is considered one of the global corporate leaders in environmental sustainability. They have ensured all agricultural materials will come from sustainable sources by 2020 and that single use plastics will be eliminated where possible by 2025.
  • Patagonia, the outdoor apparel company, has been big on the environment since its founding. They have pledged that 1% of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. They also made headlines with their “Don’t buy this jacket” campaign. This was meant to discourage customers from purchasing too many Patagonia products.
  • Everyone loves Ikea and now you can be guilt free knowing they are doing their part for the planet. The brand has said it will ban single-use plastic products from its shops and restaurants by 2020 and has also invested €1.7 billion into renewable energy projects!

What could you do that maybe you’d not thought about?

  • Put your money where your (environmental) mouth is and consider reviewing your investments. Most investment platforms offer dozens of E(nvironmental), S(ocial) and G(overnance) or Socially Responsible Investing options.
  • Take a further step and consider switching at least part of your pension investments to more environmentally friendly funds. Standard Life offers an Ethical Pension Fund and other similar options.
  • Explore the CoGo app, which allows consumers to manage their spending with companies that are aligned to their personal values. This gives consumers positive spending power when it comes to the social and environmental impacts of the brands they buy from.

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