Green Marketing - eco resources
It’s always nice to gain validation of one’s theories, whether it be ECO1 test marketing for our clients, or hearing it from a green marketing expert like Joel Makower of Greenbiz.
I was very interested to pick up Joel’s email flyer this week entitled “Taking Care of Business” - subtitle - “How’s your travel budget these days?”. In a nutshell, Joel talks about how corporations are taking heed of increasing fuel price - and switching to telephone calls, teleconferences and video conferences. Of course, that’s how ECO1 have been doing 90% of our business from day1. So the first point I’m making here is, it’s nice to see that ECO1 are ahead of the game; but it’s well worth you subscribing to Joel’s email flyer called GreenBuzz - if you want to keep up on green marketing.
If you are a serious about sustainability for your business, then you really should be thinking about joining the Low Carbon Innovation Network. You will find everything from Green Marketing to the Head of Sustainability for Royal Mail’s sustainable transport plans. There are many challenges facing business in the 21st century when dealing with sustainability. No one wants to be a pioneer - heck pioneers have to take all the risks. The Low Carbon Innovation Network provides a chance for businesses and public bodies, to look at case histories of sustainable leaders in government and industry. Moreover, there’s a forum to discuss ideas, a regular bulletin by email (very good), and regular events across the UK to meet like-minded people.
Talking about the Low Carbon Innovation Network, I was talking to one of their speakers who held a seminar recently at the London event, called Anthony Day. He’s a fascinating chap, and I just finished reading his book last week “Will Climate Change Your Life“. Anthony is certainly making a name for himself out there, after chairing the Scottish Climate Reduction Summit. It’s definitely worth tuning in to his podcasts to keep abreast of issues like ‘Peak Oil’ and ‘Sustainability for Business’.
Anthony Day is helping organisations to move towards sustainability, and helping people to understand the potential issues of ‘Peak Oil’. If you really want to know what’s happening in the Energy Markets though, you need to talk to Stephen Clifford or Martin Talbot at Clifford Talbot Partners. I’ve known these two chaps for some time now, and I think they are probably the unsung heroes of carbon reduction. Whilst I was but a spotty teenager at University in the 1980s, these two chaps were already helping the UK to reduce their carbon footprint. They currently handle about £50 million worth of electricity and gas contracts - saving 1000s of tons of carbon for the likes of 3M and Glaxo-Smith-Kline. If you think your organisation is getting the best deal on energy and carbon reduction - you’d better think twice and call Clifford Talbot Partners.
It’s been on the shelves for a while now, but I was lucky enough to be sent an early copy by the publishers a few months ago - ‘The Green Marketing Manifesto‘ by John Grant. Probably ‘the’ green marketing book of the moment. Personally, I think the way he deals with the two ideas of ‘consuming less’ or switching to ‘green consumerism’ is a must-read for anyone trying to grapple green marketing.
If you are still struggling to understand sustainability in business - then make contact with Forum for the Future. Their client list looks like a cross between a Whos Who from the FTSE 250 and a lengthy list of Local Government departments. As it says on their website - “It’s vital to share successes and lessons learnt - there’s no time to reinvent the wheel”.
Green Marketing seems like a daunting subject at first. But there are a lot of good people out there, helping to simplify the message. Have a look at the resources above, talk to the people, buy the books and suddenly all will become clear.
ECO1 - The Green Sales Generator
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