50 European companies join their efforts to protect the environment
Press Release - for immediate release, 21st November 2006
50 European companies are now members of 1% For The Planet club (see list page 2 and 3).
1% For The Planet (1%FTP or 1%) is a network of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet. Members recognize their responsibility to and dependence on a healthy environment and donate at least 1% of their annual turnover to environmental organizations worldwide. Companies can also join at the “brand” level and contribute 1% of the revenues of a particular brand. Members display the 1% logo on their products and marketing material and 1%FTP certifies that the companies give 1% every year.
Worldwide, member companies range in size from multi-billion dollar publicly traded companies in sales to small sole proprietorships. They are united by their common wish to use their businesses as a tool to affect change. According to the Executive Director of 1%, Terry Kellogg, "the mission of 1% For The Planet is to use market forces to drive positive environmental change by inspiring companies to give back. Our program enables consumers to recognize companies that are committed to doing the right thing. We want to make it easy for consumers to support companies that share their values."
Since the end of December 2004, membership in 1% club has grown by more than 400% from 76 companies to now more than 450 members around the world. Most of these companies are located in North America but a growing number are in Europe as well. Of the current 50, 28 are based in the UK, 3 in Germany, 10 in France. Current members represent a huge diversity of industries and include the well-known U.S. singer/songwriter Jack Johnson, the UK-based Kendal Mountain Film Festival, the French winemaker Henri Bourlon and the German engineering firm Buchting and Streit. The total amount of grants given by companies, members of this club, is today over 12 million USD.
This club was co-founded in 2001 by Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia. He wanted to encourage other companies to give 1% of sales to environmental protection, as he has been doing for more than 20 years with his company. Since 1985, Patagonia has distributed more than 25 million USD to grassroots organisations.
"Every time I've done the right thing for the environment I've made a profit." Says Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, Inc.(USA).
"We can no longer afford to ignore the damage we’ve done to the planet. It is time to put something back and create change" Says Olly Hermon-Taylor, manager and founder Moah Ltd, a snowboarding and performance clothing label based in England.(UK) – 25th member in the UK
"I believe our planet is rapidly dying at the hands of human industry and domestic excess and the signs are obvious, especially in our wilderness. My business is dependant on wilderness and the sensational experiences to be found there yet at same time my business leaves a destructive fingerprint wherever it goes. 1% for the planet is my way of redressing the balance in a targeted and measurable manner. I am proud to be a member of 1% and am sure that the rewards of membership will far outstrip the cost of donation." Says Jez Prout, founder of Hi Jinks, a Corporate business travel company and 28th member in the UK.
Download this press release, including a full list of companies in Europe which participate in 1% (PDF, 64KB).