Archived press release

Friends of the Earth launches affinity credit card

7 February 2008

Friends of the Earth today launches its affinity credit card with The Co-operative Bank, offering a new and easy way to support the environmental charity.

When a customer opens and uses a credit card account, The Co-operative Bank will donate money to Friends of the Earth: £15 for every account opened, a further £2.50 when each card is used in the first six months and 25p for every £100 spent or transferred to the card. [1]

Friends of the Earth aims to make life better for people by inspiring solutions to environmental problems, and will use money raised through the card to continue campaigning on issues including climate change, biodiversity and resource use. [2]

The Co-operative Bank and Friends of the Earth have worked together before, joining forces for the Co-operative Bank's `Combating Climate Change' initiative and Friends of the Earth's climate campaign The Big Ask which saw over 22,000 of the bank's customers lobby their MPs for annual targets to cut carbon dioxide emissions. Friends of the Earth and the Co-operative Bank together produced a national advertising campaign to promote solutions to climate change. They also jointly commissioned two influential pieces of research, which demonstrated that big cuts in carbon dioxide emissions are possible with the right Government policies. This support helped Friends of the Earth achieve a huge victory - persuading the Government to introduce a Climate Change Bill.

Tony Juniper, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, said:

"Friends of the Earth's new affinity credit card with The Co-operative Bank offers a hassle-free way for people to support us. For every card opened and used, the bank will give us money to campaign for solutions to global problems like climate change and biodiversity loss.

"Friends of the Earth can do business with The Co-operative Bank because it has a strong ethical policy, refusing to support businesses contributing to climate change. The bank also joined forces with Friends of the Earth to actively campaign for a strong Climate Change Bill for two years."

Carol Karaca, Partnership Manager from The Co-operative Bank, commented:

"This affinity credit card is a great way for people to support Friends of the Earth. As an ethical provider it is fantastic to have leading environmental charity Friends of the Earth on board and we look forward to continuing to work with them."

The Co-operative Bank is a popular choice for ethical consumers, as it is still the only UK high street bank to have a customer led Ethical Policy, which has been in place since 1992. The Co-operative Bank uses this policy, to decide the businesses it will and will not support based on the views of its customers on a range of issues from human rights and animal welfare to arms trade and ecological impact.

The credit card itself is also made from PETG - a plastic that has virtually eliminated chlorine and other toxic chemicals found in most standard PVC credit cards.

Supporters can apply for the card and find out more by visiting www.co-operativebank.co.uk/friendsoftheearth or by calling The Co-operative Bank on 0800 002 006.

Notes

[1] Applicants must be UK residents aged 21 years or over and have an annual income of £15,000. The 25p donated to Friends of the Earth for every £100 transferred to the card excludes balance transfers from other credit cards issued by The Co-operative Bank. Credit facilities are provided by The Co-operative Bank and are subject to status. The Bank reserves the right to decline any application or offer a card product that differs from those advertised. Interest rates are correct at time of going to press 03/07. Calls may be monitored or recorded for security and training purposes. The Co-operative Bank is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (No. 121885), subscribes to the Banking Code, is a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service and is licensed by the Office of Fair Trading (No. 006110).

The Co-operative Bank already offers affinity credit cards with several other charities including Greenpeace, the RSPCA, Shelter and The Woodland Trust.

[2] Friends of the Earth is the UK 's most influential environmental campaigning organisation. It is part of the most extensive environmental network in the world, with almost 1 million supporters across five continents and more than 70 national organisations worldwide. It has a unique network of campaigning local groups, working in over 200 communities throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Friends of the Earth is dependent on individuals for over 90 per cent of its income.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust