Australia-based start-up company Greener is taking a unique approach to engage with consumers with a focus on sustainability. The Greener app helps buyers identify sustainable brands, and then offsets emissions on the purchases made.
Once the Greener app is downloaded from the App Store, customers are asked a series of questions to get an understanding of their current carbon footprint. The produces a footprint score called the “Green Rating”, through which users can build upon their carbon-neutral purchasing habits. Over time, once a customer hits their carbon-neutral score, their so-called “Halo” turns green. The app, therefore, aims to tap into customer psychology to shop more sustainably.
Founders of the app, Tom Ferrier and Neil Veign are already on their successful second raise after launching their pilot program. The first round of testing was conducted in November, and within three weeks hit 200% of the target. Additionally, participating consumers were able to reduce the carbon emissions of their spending by 28%. The app is now in beta after having securely integrated with the banks and is officially set to launch in March 2022.
The idea came to Ferrier when he began to ponder on the “true cost” of products in shops and supermarkets. Greener is setting to solve the “invisible price tag” of a product’s carbon footprint, Ferrier reminds.
“We’re not just a simple carbon offset engine, this whole green rating is really impacted first, and then the revenue and the business model second”, he adds.
At present, Greener has more than 60 partners signed up including LEGO, Who Gives a Crap, ZeroCo, T2, and Country Road. These companies also have their sustainability credentials displayed in a ‘score card’, helping customers give quick and easy access to how the organisation is actively reducing their carbon emissions.
Greener plans on having about 60,000 people on the app for its official launch in March and has been working with a lot of not for profits and environmental organisations including The Youth Climate Coalition.
