Bureau Fris is the first, and only, full-service agency for market research that operates fully CO2 neutral. By entering into a partnership with Trees for All, Bureau Fris contributes positively to our planet. In this blog, Augusta Zweekhorst, co-owner of Fris, explains how the partnership came about and how clients and respondents also contribute to a better future.
Make Earth a bit of a better place
Whether it’s at our venue location in Amsterdam or at an external location with Fris to Go, Bureau Fris will plant two trees for each research day. One tree to compensate the CO2 emission produced during the research day, and one tree to make Earth a bit of a better place. I’ve tried to launch such an initiative before, but it didn’t go down well at that time. It probably just wasn’t the right time yet and when Covid hit our country in early 2020, we unfortunately had more pressing matters to deal with.
Room for new ideas
Meanwhile, we are looking ahead to the future with renewed energy. That means there is more room for new ideas. In addition, the climate is a much hotter topic now than it was a few years ago. So when I came up with the plan to enter into a partnership with Trees for All, this time everyone was really keen on it.
Trees for All is the most experienced provider
In preparation, I really examined what would be a suitable organisation to collaborate with. Trees for All is a Dutch organisation, established in 1999. They are the most experienced provider of CO2 compensation in the Netherlands, and also the only provider of CO2 compensation via sustainable reforestation projects that complies with the strict demands of the CBF certificate. What I also like are the short lines of communication. When you get in touch with them, you get an instant reply.
Concerned about the environment
I really appreciate that we can contribute to the world in this way. You can sit back and check the sales figures every month, but is that it then? In my private life, I’m also very concerned about the environment, and I buy a number of trees each year as well. I’ve calculated how I can compensate my carbon footprint: taking the car to Bureau Fris four times a week, my energy consumption at home and my domestic and international holidays; these are covered by about six trees. And let’s face it, for fifty euro you have ten trees so there are really no excuses, right?
Team effort
It has become a real team effort by now. Stephanie ensures that the data is communicated via our website and social media channels together with Social Affairs and Danique. Suzanne ensures that the logo is placed on all templates, from quotes to invoices, and Eileen takes care of everything involving the respondents. Because respondents can contribute as well by donating (a part of) their incentive for the planting of trees. At our office, we have a large wall sticker of a tree and next to it there’s a blackboard on which we keep track of the number of trees that are planted. That’s an example of how we collectively come up with more and more ideas. This year, we are going to organise an Arbor Day with the entire team. Yes, it’s very much on the up and up and I’m really happy about that. Don’t you feel that it just gives you lots of energy to do some good for the world? Generating turnover is great, but if we can leave the world a little better than we found it, that’s a win-win!
Would you like to know more?
Would you like to learn more about our partnership with Trees for All? Please check our website. Would you also like to contribute positively to our planet or do you want to know more about how we facilitate research? Feel free to contact Augusta or Stephanie. They are happy to tell you more.
