Climate change is deeply entwined with every organization’s business operations, regardless of industry or size. Vague corporate pledges are not enough to head off climate disasters. But where to start? This challenge can seem overwhelming. This hub helps your company identify the specific areas in which you can do your own part, big or small.
Navigate the resources below by moving through each of the 4 tabs, from “Get Started” to “Take More Action.”
This 5 minute assessment will help you determine if it’s right for your brand to speak up and take action on climate change.
This checklist outlines 5 things you should do before making any public statements.
These facts & figures can help get internal buy-in from other company decision makers.
Allbirds was founded in 2016 to make more environmentally-friendly shoes out of natural and sustainable wool. In 2020, the brand evolved from talking broadly about ‘sustainability’ to addressing ‘climate change’ explicitly.
The company identified where they could focus their efforts to make an impact: reducing the carbon footprint of their own products. Allbirds did not just make a sweeping pledge to cut their carbon emissions by 2030, like so many brands do. Allbirds is holding itself accountable to the public by adding ‘carbon footprint labels’ to their products, measuring the emissions caused by materials, manufacturing, transportation and product life. Their website shares in-depth information on their methodology, progress and shortcomings.
Allbirds believes that labeling the carbon footprint of products should be as ubiquitous as nutrition labels on food. One day, regulations might require this - and/or impose carbon ‘tax’ on companies. Until that day comes, Allbirds is leading the fashion industry in tracking, transparency, and a new self-imposed status quo.
Blueland is a cleaning supplies startup founded with a mission to eliminate single-use plastics in the home.
‘Reusing’ instead of ‘recycling’ is core to the physical design of their products. Blueland cleaning solutions come in the form of small powder tablets that dissolve in water added at home to Blueland’s spray bottles or soap dispensers. Not only does stripping water out from the solutions compel consumers to reuse Blueland’s hardy acrylic containers, but it also drastically cuts the shipping weight and resulting emissions.
Blueland is a B Corp, Climate Neutral Certified and Cradle to Cradle Certified brand. It’s a leading example of how a brand can make sustainability integral to their business model from the ground up.
Since its founding, Patagonia has shown a commitment to protecting wild spaces. But, in 2018, the outdoor clothing brand changed its company mission to be even more direct: “Patagonia is in business to save our home planet” to “do something about our climate crisis.”
Patagonia is focused on lowering its carbon footprint in business operations and by encouraging consumers to repair their clothing instead of buying new items; donates 1% of all sales to environmental preservation; connects volunteers and grassroots environmental nonprofits; provides grants to environmental nonprofits; increases awareness of these nonprofits through documentaries; encourages consumers to vote for pro-climate politicians; and have even launched public awareness campaigns about public lands-related policies.
The company has also pushed the traditional definition of ‘supply chain’ beyond just materials and manufacturing, to include where their products are sold, what platforms they advertise on, and what financial institutions they bank with. Patagonia leverages the power of its billion-dollar business to reward (or withhold from) other companies based on their environmental stewardship. Patagonia is a brand leader in 360° environmental action.
Book a private 1:1 consulting session with a Brands Take Action expert to review your messaging, or help you overcome any challenges you’re facing on how to successfully speak up and take action.
