Businesses urged to ‘drive the green bandwagon’

(Manila, Philippines, September 18, 2012) – “Many of us may have already given up on the idea that the environment can be saved. But each of us has the capacity to help create a more livable place for everyone. So why not drive, instead of just jump on, the green bandwagon?” said  Monette Iturralde-Hamlin, president and founder of strategic marketing communications firm TeamAsia.

Iturralde-Hamlin, who is also board member and environment committee chair of the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF), urges companies to become more involved in environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR). “Environmental CSR goes beyond showcasing how green your company can get. We can’t tell how soon the next disaster will hit us, or how climate change will redefine our way of life, so it’s crucial that we put more effort in making a positive environmental impact.”

This observation is supported by the 2011 McKinsey & Co. Global Survey on sustainability, which found that more companies are practicing sustainability not only for reputation, but to improve their processes and value. Top sustainability actions pertain to environment, such as reducing energy use, waste, emissions and water.

TeamAsia has worked with the LCF since 2005 to organize the annual LCF CSR Expo, a gathering of over 1,000 corporate executives, stakeholders and volunteers to support and expand the practice of CSR in the country. The 11th CSR Expo, in July and themed “Transforming the Business of Giving Back,” encouraged companies to focus on socially, economically and environmentally responsible business solutions while ensuring financial sustainability.

The past three LCF CSR Expos were also lauded as environment-friendly conferences. “We hoped to inspire more action from our delegates by reducing our carbon footprint before, during and after the event. We’ve documented this on the event website,” Iturralde-Hamlin said. TeamAsia bagged two Gold Quill Awards of Merit from the International Association of Business Communicators in 2008 for organizing the conference and for creating an innovative direct mailer for the event’s kick off activity.

The company, which is Asia’s first agency dedicated to corporate identity development and non-traditional marketing communications, has actively engaged in CSR programs with its partners for the past 20 years. One of its programs, “My Dream in a Shoebox,” is a Christmas outreach campaign that collects thousands of shoeboxes filled with school supplies and support for street and public schoolchildren.

On September 22, TeamAsia will join Manila Water Company, Inc., Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS) and 100 volunteers from LCF member companies for a tree planting and eco-trekking activity at the Ipo Watershed, Bulacan. They will plant a tree in a five-hectare land in honor of each of the 616 LCF CSR Expo participants this year. The area will be replanted annually to become the “LCF Forest.” The activity is led by LCF’s Environment Committee.

About TeamAsia
TeamAsia is an award-winning strategic marketing communications firm that develops place, corporate, and personal brand strategies, creative concepts, and marketing communications programs and campaigns incorporating events, public relations, and Web 2.0 tools for its clients. Its core businesses include design services; public relations, editorial, copywriting, and SEO services; media relations; event management; online campaign management; and web development. The agency also offers workshops and seminars primarily related to its core communications businesses.