New Zealand-born brand Kathmandu has partnered with carbon offsetting envirotech company CarbonClick in a bid to drive down carbon footprint across its customer base.
From May 4, customers who pay $2.00 through any online transaction with Kathmandu will contribute to offsetting projects in Australia and New Zealand.
The offsetting delivered by this partnership will promote reforestation projects in Australia and New Zealand, including the Everdale Native Regeneration project in New South Wales, and Flax Hills Forever Forest project in Kaikōura, which CarbonClick reports are fully transparent and traceable by customers.
Each project is registered under the Australian Emissions Reduction Fund and the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme respectively.
“This partnership enables our customers to contribute to credible offsetting projects in Australia and New Zealand directly,” KMD Brands chief legal and ESG officer Frances Blundell said. “As a certified B Corp, we’re always looking at ways to improve our own impact and we’re pleased to be able to offer a simple way our customers can contribute themselves.”
Kathmandu became B Corp certified in 2019. In 2023, its parent company KMD Brands joined its B Corp certification, adding Rip Curl and Oboz.
CarbonClick is also B Corp certified.
B Corp certifications are given to for-profit organisations which are rated across five impact areas: governance, workers, customers, community and the environment. Companies must document their positive impact to apply using the B Impact Assessment tool, and undergo an independent verification process every three years to achieve and maintain certification.
“This partnership delivers a great opportunity for environmentally conscious customers to participate in offsetting while shopping online,” CarbonClick CEO Dave Rouse said. “At CarbonClick, we know that there is an increasing awareness and appetite amongst consumers to make a difference with their purchasing decisions.
“This partnership not only delivers on that demand but also sets an example for the sector, and in doing so makes a tangible, positive impact on the planet.”