How can reducing your carbon footprint and signing The Climate Pledge improve your brand?

19 Aug

What is The Climate Pledge?

The Climate Pledge was co-founded in 2019 by Amazon and Global Optimism to encourage more companies to commit to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 (10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement). Since then over 300 companies and organisations have signed the pledge.

What are companies committing to?

Those that sign The Climate Pledge, commit to the following:

Measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis
Implement decarbonisation strategies through changes in the way they run their business such as using renewable energy, reducing waste and increasing efficiency
Take action to neutralise the carbon emissions they make with permanent and socially beneficial offsets to help them achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions.

How can this improve your brand?

Signing The Climate Pledge will have a great impact on the environment and is the socially responsible thing to do, especially for companies operating in industries with large carbon emissions, but it can also have a great impact on your brand identity and community, and here’s how…

Trustworthiness

As The Climate Pledge grows in numbers, it is becoming more recognisable to consumers. Seeing The Climate Pledge badge on a website or product will assure the consumer that your company is doing everything it can to reduce its carbon emissions. Any company can say they’re trying to reduce their emissions but as consumers become more sceptical and aware of greenwashing, they demand proof and a stamp of approval from The Climate Pledge is a great place to start.

2. Keeping you on the right track

The majority of companies will now be taking action to try and reduce their carbon footprint, but it won’t be at the forefront of all of their business decisions. By signing The Climate Pledge, you will be giving your company a target to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 and your current emissions will be reported, meaning that you must be actively reducing your emissions, not just thinking about it. This is something that consumers like to see as many individuals are trying to reduce their own carbon footprints but feel disheartened to see major companies delaying the progress they’re making, with 70% of the world’s carbon emissions being made by just 100 companies!

3. Education and building authority

Reducing a company's carbon emissions to net-zero is a long and difficult process. It will take time, education and innovation to find new ways to operate the business that are more eco-friendly. So by joining The Climate Pledge, your business will become well educated in reducing carbon emissions, this education is something you can share with your customer community. 78% of consumers say that a sustainable lifestyle is important to them so sharing your Climate Pledge journey on social media by showing all of the changes you’ve made whether they’re big or small and highlighting things that worked and things that haven’t can help educate consumers on the climate crisis. Not only is this interesting for consumers, but can also help educate them on the climate crisis and changes that can be made whilst building your authority as a brand.