Charitable sponsorship and corporate donations are a great way for companies to take an interest in their community and the broader environment. Working with environmental charities in Australia and NZ will not only help better your community, but it will also show future and current customers and clients that you are making a real effort to improve the world.
The environment is an issue that has been gaining traction for years and consumers are interested in how businesses are responding. Customers are genuinely putting their money where their mouth is and using their purchasing power to bring attention to sustainability issues. In fact, in a 2019 survey, 72 percent of people said that they were actively buying more eco-friendly products than they did five years ago and 81 percent said they expected to buy even more over the next five years.
But it's not just environmentally friendly products that customers are looking for. In other research, 87 percent of respondents said they had a more positive image of companies that support social or environmental issues, while 92 percent were more likely to trust a company that supports social or environmental issues.
With these findings in mind, it makes smart business sense for your company to align with an environmental charity in Australia or New Zealand. Your next step is to ensure you connect with reputable organisations that are making a positive impact in their communities—and then work out how you can promote their good work, as well as practically and financially support them.
In this post, we profile some of the best environmental charities in Australia and New Zealand, including what makes them a solid choice for your business to support.
Planet Ark's mission is to "unite people, businesses and governments through positive environmental actions".
The organisation works across several areas, including promoting sustainable resource use for a circular economy, supporting low carbon lifestyles and connecting people with nature. Planet Ark works with "a range of businesses across a number of sectors... to bring about genuine environmental change".
What makes Planet Ark a good choice?
Not only is Planet Ark well known as a reputable brand for environmental, sustainable and ethical performance, but Kyocera has partnered with them in the 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark' recycling program for many years. The program provides a free, easy and environmentally-accredited way to recycle used printer cartridges.
If you're in New Zealand, Kyocera runs a similar program called Kyocera Collect, which results in 100 percent zero-waste-to-landfill for consumables waste.
WWF Australia's mission is to "stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature".
The organisation works in several areas, including protecting endangered species and marine life, and sustainable food production and consumption. WWF also works with businesses, governments and communities in Australia to accelerate climate solutions, such as becoming carbon neutral.
WWF is Australia's largest conservation organisation and is actively working with "entrepreneurs, investors and businesses to promote innovative solutions that will reduce carbon emissions".
What makes WWF a good choice?
Aside from a stellar environmental mission and track record of good work in Australia and overseas, the WWF is very transparent about how donations are used and provides current and historical financial information.
Sustainable Coastlines’ mission is to enable "people to look after the coastlines and waterways they love".
The organisation coordinates and supports large-scale coastal clean-up events, public awareness campaigns, educational programs, and riparian planting projects around New Zealand.
Interestingly, Sustainable Coastlines tailor clean-up events with businesses that are looking for a novel team-building exercise that's also good for the environment.
What makes Sustainable Coastlines a good choice?
Sustainable Coastlines is a multi-award winning charity with an impressive record of on-the-ground work across New Zealand. The organisation has been operating since 2011 and provides in-depth and transparent financial information.
The Australian Conservation Foundation's (ACF) mission is to "protect, restore and sustain the environment".
The organisation is Australia's national environmental organisation, with a long history of environmental advocacy since it was founded 53 years ago to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
What makes the Australian Conservation Foundation a good choice?
There are over 30 ACF community groups across Australia, where members learn new skills as well as run local campaigns to protect nature. These community groups offer a unique opportunity for hands-on, grassroots sustainability action.
Clean Up Australia's mission is to inspire and empower "communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment".
The organisation works across Australia with communities, schools and businesses to promote campaigns and issues which drive lasting environmental behavioural change.
What makes Clean Up Australia a good choice?
Clean Up Australia is a popular and practical cause we at Kyocera have proudly supported for almost 20 years. As an environmental leader in the corporate world, we operate under strict, group-wide ecological measures, including ozone layer protection, waste reduction, and energy and resource conservation. All of which aligns with the Clean Up Australia vision, making it a perfect partnership—perhaps for your business as well?
You now have the rundown on some of the best environmental charities in Australia and New Zealand and can make an informed choice as to who your company would like to support.
With concerns about the environment growing globally, many organisations are looking for measurable ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Download our guide to learn how you can adopt sustainable business practices in your organisation.