INTOUCH: Westpac Moves To Promote Eco-choice

Westpac New Zealand is aiming to help its customers make better choices for the environment despite the economic gloom via the launch of Westpac ecoshop, an online store specialising in eco-conscious products.
The product range includes personal and household products, toys, magazine subscriptions, appliances, entertainment and outdoor equipment, plumbing and heating solutions.
Head of corporate responsibility at Westpac Suzie Marsden says the bank’s sustainable business goals are not taking back-seat amidst tougher economic conditions and considerable steps have already been made towards creating sustainable business practices. In December, Westpac became the first bank in the world to achieve Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme (CEMARS) certification as part of its strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.
Sustainability goals are also key consideration in Westpac’s purchasing decisions, extending from its car fleet to banking technology and design features in its new Green Building Council green-star rated corporate offices, Marsden says.
Now, with Westpac ecoshop, the bank hopes to help its customers on their own eco-journey.
Although the store is quite separate from its banking operations, Marsden says it’s practical way for the bank to help its customers to be more environmentally conscious.
“It’s all about giving our online banking customers an easy way to access products that are either produced in more sustainable way, or by companies that have an environmentally conscious mandate,” she says.
“Westpac ecoshop caters to the growing number of ‘Solution Seekers’ – those consumers making conscious choices to live differently. The latest Moxie research figures show that even as economic pressures increase, Solution Seekers, which represent one-third of the New Zealand population, are staying true to their values and aren’t reducing in number.
“This is significant when you consider that this represents more than one million Kiwis who are considering products based on sustainability principles.”