As a B Corp, we’ve pledged to consciously make decisions that benefit people, communities and the planet. It’s important to us that we’re not just driven by good intentions. Being a B Corp holds us accountable and makes sure our initiatives are truly making a positive impact – this is something we really want to get right.
One of the ways we live out our B Corp values at Open is actively managing our environmental impact and treading lightly on the planet. To support us in achieving our commitments, we partnered with 1% for the Planet. We donated 1% of our revenue to approved nonprofit organisations throughout Australia and New Zealand that are tackling the world’s most pressing environmental issues.
Our $82,156 donation for 2021
At Open, we’re incredibly lucky to have a team that is passionate about giving back. Throughout the year, our people in the Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Auckland and Queenstown have engaged in tree plantings, beach clean-ups and other philanthropic activities. So we knew that they’d want to be involved in selecting the non-profits we’d donate to.
After a very close vote, our team chose to split the funds across three very worthy organisations: Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand, Greenfleet and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC).
We asked each organisation about their mission and how our donation would support their work in 2022.
Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand
Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) is part of a global network that changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions, and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in developing countries. Internationally Fairtrade represents 1.8 million small-scale farmers and workers and the Fairtrade mark is the most recognisable ethical label in the world.
We love how Fairtrade’s work empowers producers financially and socially. By partnering with small-scale farmers, everyone in their community benefits, including children and the environment. At the very core of Fairtrade ANZ’s beliefs is respect for farmers, workers and the communities in which they live and work.
This is the first time we’re partnering with Fairtrade ANZ and think it’s the start of a long-lasting relationship. Our donation of just over $24,000 will go towards supporting producers in the Pacific region.
In Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga, Fairtrade runs environmental programs with farmers to improve the quality of their products and find new markets for them, especially through access to pre-finance and co-investment funds.
Molly Harriss Olson, CEO of Fairtrade ANZ, told us, "the generous donation from Open will really make a difference to the work we are doing in the region to create a fairer world for women, children and the environment. Like us, Open cares about connection through business and developing systems that make the world a fairer place. Together, I believe we can work towards this goal."
Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC)
The AYCC is Australia’s largest youth-run organisation, with a mission to build a movement of young people leading solutions to the climate crisis. We’re keen supporters of AYCC’s work, and in the past have taken part in the Global Climate Strike organised by students.
AYCC are incredibly public with communicating their vision for a better world. This includes campaigning the government to divert funds from the polluting gas industry into funding vital public services – healthcare, housing, education, publicly-owned renewable energy and supporting communities living with the impacts of the climate crisis.
Liv, AYCC’s Digital Organising Coordinator, shares, “joining the AYCC gave me a space where I could make a meaningful and tangible difference alongside other people with the same values as me. I've met a great community while getting a concrete direction and goals for my climate justice journey.”
With the Federal election just a few months away, 2022 is a vital time to elevate the voices and concerns of young voters. Open’s donation of just over $24,000 will go towards training, organising and empowering young people - the foundation of AYCC’s work. Through training, young people build invaluable skills in leadership, communication, strategy, and organising. AYCC has a proud history of empowering volunteers to lead strategic campaigns, winning big investments in clean energy, and holding back dangerous fossil fuel projects.
Greenfleet
One of the ways we can take action to slow down the effects of climate change is by offsetting our carbon emissions. Native reforestation is one of the cost-effective ways we can reduce global warming. Planting native forests draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and at the same time, restores the habitat and biodiversity in the area.
Greenfleet is an environmental not-for-profit organisation focussed on protecting our climate by restoring our forests. We began partnering with Greenfleet last year and started discussing ways we could offset our carbon footprint at Open. Now in their 25th year of taking climate action, Greenfleet has planted 9.6 million native trees across 500 forests. Most importantly, these forests are legally protected for up to 100 years to make sure that their impact is safeguarded for decades to come.
Our 1% for the Planet donation this year will plant enough native trees to absorb just over 1,333 tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is the equivalent of removing 310 vehicles from the road for a whole year!
Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC)
Alongside Greenfleet, Fairtrade and AYCC, we've also joined forces with the AWC. Our yearly donation to them comes from an optional cover that Huddle customers can select called Kanga Cover. Huddle’s Kanga Cover waives the excess on a driver’s first animal collision claim within a 12 month period. Every time a customer adds this option to their car policy we donate $4 to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC).
The AWC works to conserve Australian wildlife, and with over 1,800 species set for extinction, this is no easy feat. AWC currently manage 6.5 million hectares of conservation land across 31 locations, providing sanctuaries for thousands of endangered native animals. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy is the biggest private owner and manager of land for conservation in Australia, and we’re proud to donate over $10,128.00 to them in FY21.
What’s next?
We don’t plan on stopping at a donation. Stay tuned as we follow Fairtrade ANZ, AYCC, Greenfleet and the AWC throughout the year. We’ll keep you updated as we see the impact of their work and partner with them long-term.
Luckily for us, all of the organisations we’ve mentioned here have offered to speak to our team and educate them on how we can continue to make a positive impact as individuals and as a business. It's up to all of us to address the climate crisis and be a part of a sustainable future – and we invite you to do the same.
- Start using Fairtrade goodies as part of your staples including coffee, chocolate and tea
- Take action with the AYCC and help maximise the impact of their important climate justice work
- For $1 a day with Greenfleet, you can offset the average amount of carbon emitted by each person in a year in Australia (23 tonnes of C02-e)
- Donate to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and help protect endangered species
- If you're a business, be one that's a force for good - join the movement and become B Corp certified too