Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Green Washing?

I got this email today from HSBC:

Dear BRIAN ROWE,

Small changes can make a big impact. That's why HSBC has partnered with The Arbor Day Foundation to help the environment.

Now, when you switch to environmentally-friendly eStatements, HSBC will plant a tree with The Arbor Day Foundation.


On the surface, that sounds really good, and it is. I will take them up on their offer. Yet, I'm annoyed.

If HSBC wanted to make an impact on environmental issues, they would just do it (sorry Nike). I expect that if a large enough number of their customers switch to eStatements, then HSBC will actually make money on this deal. Thus their tree-planting scheme is simply marketing. This is all just cynical assumption on my part, but just because it's cynical doesn't mean it's wrong.

HSBC, be a leader, and give The Arbor Day Foundation the windfall from this switch to eStatements.

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