Why we joined 1% for the planet as an agency
4 minute read / author: Katherine Heath
On 1st April 2021, we joined 1% for the Planet and committed to giving 1% of our sales back to the Earth. That’s 1% of our revenue, not our profit, and we’ve committed to doing this every year from now on, for as long as we’re in business.
There’s a lot of scrutiny of the actions of certain industries such as the food and fashion industries (rightly so), but the agency world largely manages to escape the judgement of its impact on the planet. That needs to change.
Whether direct or indirect through the work we do for clients, every action we take as an agency does have an impact on the world around us and that means we should be held accountable. And that we should give back.
Over the last few years, as our team and client base have grown, we started to think more seriously about the type of work we want to do and the kind of businesses we want to work with. We have since started working with a growing number of incredible businesses who are on a mission to better the world around them and reinvent their industries.
We’re proud to work with so many brands who put people and planet first. And by working alongside passionate founding teams, we’ve also developed a deeper understanding of what it really takes to run an ethical business — it’s not easy.
To further our commitment to protecting the future of our world, we’re also joining 1% for the Planet.
What is 1% for the Planet?
1% for the Planet is a global network of businesses, nonprofits and individuals committed to giving back to the Earth.
The organisation pairs businesses and individuals with their approved environmental nonprofits, creating high-impact partnerships that amplify the impact of members’ giving.
It all started when two businessmen met and bonded over their shared love for the outdoors. Realising their responsibility to protect our planet, they decided to give 1% of their sales back to the environment — whether or not they were profitable.
In 2002, Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, created 1% for the Planet and started a global movement.
“The intent of 1% for the Planet is to help fund diverse environmental organisations so that collectively they can be more powerful in solving the world’s problems.” - Yvon Chouinard.
Since the beginning, 1% for the Planet has certified more than $250 million in support to approved environmental nonprofits. The model is simple, effective and accessible to everyone.
Find out how you can join the 1% for the Planet community.
What’s our giving plan?
We are now one of over 2000 members, in over 45 countries, working together to protect the future of the planet. Each member pledges to give 1% of its revenue to one or more of the 4500 carefully selected nonprofit organisations who are each tackling the problems our planet faces.
One of the best things about 1% FTP is the community and the support. When you sign up, you work closely with one of the team to identify the individual organisations that you would like your donation to go to. We are in the process of deciding who our donations will go to, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated on our progress.
In the meantime, a little reading for you in case you want to know more about 1% for the Planet and the story behind it…
A Responsible Company: What We've Learned From Patagonia's First 40 Years by Yvon Chouinard & Vincent Stanley
1% for the Planet: How does it work?
