As a PR guru, you know that reputation is everything! With that being said, it is important to stay informed of the latest environmental trends so that your brand can be presented in the best light. 

Sustainability has been a widely known movement and refers to an entity or person who is passionate about adapting their lifestyle or business tactics to be more ecologically and sustainably responsible.

If you haven't yet considered the fact that your brand needs to be environmentally conscious, you need to listen up! Becoming part of the green community and focusing on elements that can reduce harm to mother nature is not only beneficial for your brand's reputation, but it can actually make a difference in the future.

You can earn some brand trust by participating in sustainable and renewable initiatives. What's more, according to Forbes, 88% of consumers will show more loyalty towards your brand if you support social or environmental issues. Not convinced yet? Let media update's Jana van der Westhuizen take you on the green path of sustainable benefits.

PR pro, here are three reasons why you need to get your green on:

Going green alters consumer perception

Consumers will always have an opinion, but it's your job to alter their beliefs to your advantage. When you take on the role of a Green PR (remember "going green" is a long term commitment), you help to humanise the brand that you are working with. 

Taking part in sustainable community initiatives — like organising a campaign where your brand plants trees for the local community, for example — will help the general public to view your brand as caring towards the community and the environment. Being actively present humanises your brand in such a way that your consumer feels that they can engage with the brand personally!

From caring consumers to the nagging Karens, there will always be those people that won't feel the need to be eco-friendly in their daily lives, but that still feel obligated to buy eco-friendly products or engage with sustainable businesses. Why? Because it makes them feel that they are still doing their part for the planet earth. 

So they will use you, as a nature-loving company, to assist them in their efforts and to do their part.

And the greener your client base gets, the more that consumers will start to mention your brand's eco-friendly offerings — and we all know that word of mouth is the best publicity you can get!

Being eco-friendly brings new opportunities

Have you ever heard of carbon tax? Well, your brand has a carbon footprint whether you want it to or not! Let's break this down — carbon tax is the expenditure that a business has to pay for the level of damage that their activities are causing to the environment. 

When you start to implement carbon law, the amount of carbon tax that you'll need to pay will reduce. Do you know what’s cool about it? If your brand has a reduced level of carbon tax, then that will immediately carry over to any consumers or suppliers that partner with your brand. They will be seen in the same eco-friendly light just by doing business with you!

Are you following along? Getting your client eco-friendly and their carbon tax sorted will open up a world of opportunities. More businesses and suppliers would want to do business with you just because they will reap the same benefits that you do for being carbon tax compliant. Now that's what I call a beneficial piggybacking!

And just like that, the association in your consumer's minds between sustainability and your brand will begin to blossom … and you, my Green PR, will be a hero all the way!

Going green will make you part of a universal trend

As a PR pro, you always want the brand you work with to be part of something bigger than just themselves. You heard it here first — being eco-friendly is a trend that will never stop trending! 

Here is why: Your contribution to this movement will ultimately have a bigger effect on the future of our planet — affecting thousands of others. With our growing population, your brand can make a difference to sustain our environment for the generations to come by being aware of your brand's ethical actions towards the world. It's one thing to talk about change or supporting sustainable movements — but being the change is what every brand should strive for.

Creating the image that your brand has a carbon footprint and is sustainable in its activities paints the picture of eco-friendliness … and capeesh, you are part of the going green club! 

This would be a great time to revisit your brand's SEO strategy, campaign messaging and paid media so that you can share your new status as a green company with the rest of the world! 

So … are you flipped to the green side? Let's get eco-friendly! 

Are you eager to become a Green PR and make your brand more eco-friendly? Share your thoughts about it in the comments section.

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Do you want your brand to be more eco-friendly and environmentally conscious? Then be sure to read our article, ‘Going green’ is the new black.
*Image courtesy of Unsplash