PEOPLE & PLANET | GIVING BACK
CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS INCREASINGLY VALUE SUSTAINABILITY , AND OUR MEMBERSHIP DEMONSTRATES OUR COMMITMENT TO THIS CAUSE
Hesam Miri MD of Dubai-based company , United Bluerise That is not Chouinard ’ s only legacy . The story goes that keen rockclimber Chouinard was out fly fishing in 2002 with Blue Ribbon Flies CEO Craig Mathews when they hit upon an idea of how businesses large and small could all make a difference and take responsibility for their impact . That ’ s how 1 % For The Planet was born .
Kate Williams – who became CEO of 1 % For The Planet in 2015 after working in the environmental nonprofit and outdoor adventure space for more than two decades – explains how it all began .
“ The idea for 1 % For The Planet sparked from a discussion on the environmental impact of business – and how business owners have a responsibility to give back to the planet ,” she tells Business Chief . “ It started small , with most members being outdoor brands already focused on environmental advocacy . But the network grew rapidly as the logo and mission gained recognition . Today we have over 5,500 business members in more than 60 countries ,
5,500
The number of 1 % For The Planet business members in more than 60 countries
57 %
The percentage of the 1 % For The Planet network that is from outside the US
spanning across almost every industry you can think of . From legal services to baby products , 1 % For The Planet members no longer fit in any one category .”
Kate says she realised she wanted to pursue an environmental career when she was 18 and on a challenging group backpacking trip in the mountains of Wyoming .
Finding herself in a leadership position and dealing with injuries , bad weather and tasked with keeping up morale , Williams had something of an epiphany – that compassionate leadership was at the core of how she shows up for people and the planet .
120 November 2023