Don’t let credit crunch the environment

The recent turbulence in global financial markets has touched everyone in the business world, from the giant US investment banks to the smallest cottage industries, but Tree Appeal is today sending out a message to all businesses – don’t let credit crunch the environment.

Moves in recent years towards a comprehensive understanding of corporate responsibility have seen firms around the world begin to address the impact their activities have upon the natural world, and upon human communities.

Environmental and social responsibility, sustainability and the need for companies to address the needs of a wider range of stakeholders, have become core components of the business agenda. Simultaneously, greater public awareness and consumer pressure have pushed the growth of the organic and fair-trade movements, and cause-related marketing.

And now, having reached the political and corporate agenda, the environment issue is not going to go away. Indeed, now more than ever, we cannot ignore our duty to preserve our world for future generations.

Many in the business community are scaling down their corporate responsibility commitments drastically in the face of the downturn but they will find, to their disadvantage, that they can’t afford not to honour the obligations that consumers have come to expect. Firms cannot be fair-weather friends to the environment, showing support when it suits, but must show that their principles are not subject to financial caprice. It will be the companies that go forward with integrity and innovation, through economic troubles and beyond, that find their brand stronger in the long term.

Stripping away added value from products and services, by rationalizing marketing and brand activities, leaves companies with only one area of competition – price. In a tough market, no firm wants to end up in a price war that can only result in reduced revenues for all concerned.

Tree Appeal offers companies a new and different route through economic troubles that means they do not have to sacrifice their responsibilities or their marketing objectives. With Tree Appeal, corporate responsibility and marketing become one – companies can give back to the environment, in a way that goes beyond IS014001, and can engage with communities and schools, whilst simultaneously building a positive brand image and communicating with customers on a personal level.

Boom and bust economics encourages a short term perspective, whilst corporate responsibility shows us the bigger picture of long term commitments and sustainable success. Don’t let credit crunch the environment – with Tree Appeal, you don’t have to.