Words by Smiley Team
While household consumption contributes to about 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it’s vital we address excessive shopping. Green tech company Tred is attempting to help individuals play their part in lowering consumerism’s impact by introducing the UK’s first debit card that helps track your carbon footprint.
Made from recycled plastic, the debit card allows shoppers to track, reduce and offset their carbon footprint as they spend. Their accompanying app calculates individual carbon footprints based on spending, and a monthly subscription contributes to tree planting schemes or other climate change mitigation projects.
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Tred co-founder Will Smith explains: “We’re trying to make money work for the people and the planet. While people spend or save we’re trying to make that greener. Everything you buy has an environmental impact and we tell you this. Then every time you spend we plant trees.”
The company’s early testing of the card found that consumers who used it reduced their carbon footprints by 12%, Will says.
“The card puts sustainability at the forefront of people’s minds,” he adds. “It’s based on the nudge theory, offering people a constant reminder that they can do something and that it’s good to do something.”
Influencing consumer behaviour in this way, Tred’s founders have high hopes for its potential. Co-founder Peter Kirby says: “We believe the repercussions of this could be game-changing, removing barriers to climate change action and empowering consumers to adjust their lifestyle habits.”
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In partnership with sustainable businesses, Tred’s next step will be to open the card up to broaden its customer base and take additional steps to help individuals lower their emissions.
They celebrated the card’s launch by planting 10,000 trees as part of Priceless Planet Coalition, launched last year with a firm commitment to plant 100 million trees by 2025.
