1% for the planet – Why I no longer subscribe

As an environmentally conscious business owner, I believe in supporting initiatives that protect our planet. For years, I was a proud member of 1% for the Planet, an organisation that connects businesses with environmental nonprofits.

However, I’ve recently made the decision to step away from this membership while maintaining—and even increasing—my environmental giving.

My new approach

I now donate at least 1% of my sales directly to environmental nonprofits, along with a host of other pledges. This decision wasn’t about reducing my environmental commitment—quite the opposite. By eliminating membership fees and administrative overheads, I can channel more resources directly to environmental causes. Also, I can pick and choose which charities to donate to directly.

Benefits of Direct Giving

– Greater flexibility in choosing recipients and timing of donations
– Reduced administrative costs
– Ability to exceed the 1% minimum more easily
– Direct relationships with environmental organisations

Moving Forward

This shift doesn’t diminish my respect for 1% for the Planet’s mission. They play a valuable role in corporate environmental responsibility. However, for my business, direct giving allows me to maximise the impact of every pound spent on environmental causes.

I remain committed to environmental stewardship and transparency. My giving will continue to be documented and shared, ensuring accountability to our environmental values.

You can see my commitments from previous years here (2018, 2019 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).