Treat yo’self (and the climate)

Part of the proceeds from a new ice cream will go towards fighting climate change and the fossil fuel industries  

Global ice cream brand Ben and Jerry’s is making the fight against climate change a little sweeter, teaming up with 350.org to launch a new flavour that’s aiming to help save the planet. 

As it launches the new vegan flavour, Un-fudge our Future, across Australian supermarkets and delivery apps this week, the company will donate $20,000 to support 350.org’s community organising work. 

A Ben and Jerry’s spokesperson said that the company believed in supporting environmental action by raising awareness of campaigns and partners who align with their values, and 350.org fitted the bill.    

“We believe that our support for 350.org Australia includes speaking up as a values-led company and raising awareness about the key issues facing our planet and of their campaigns with our loyal base of consumers,” the spokesperson said. 

Lucy Manne, 350.org CEO, told Pro Bono News the campaign would not only help financially back the advocacy group’s environmental work, but allow them to spread their climate message to new audiences.  

“This is helping to share our message in a way that’s fun and engaging, while channelling it towards a critically important campaign,” Manne said. 

The launch of the ice cream comes ahead of the October federal budget, which Manne said was a critical time for the government to be investing in climate solutions that reboot the economy and help the planet.  

“Right now our government is making choices about how we rebuild our economy in response to the devastating crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.  

“Our campaign with Ben and Jerry’s is about ensuring that our leaders invest in a cleaner, fairer future – not fossil fuels.”  

As one of the globe’s leading B Corporations, it’s not the first time Ben and Jerry’s has made moves to tackle social issues, or teamed up with 350.org to fight fossil fuels. 

In 2018, the two organisations ran an online campaign that saw petitions launched against local councils, encouraging them to divest in fossil fuels. 

Ben and Jerry’s has also set a number of greenhouse gas emissions targets, including a commitment to 100 per cent clean energy by 2025, and investing in solar panels that generate around 20 per cent of the electricity used in one of its American factories. 

The ice cream giant is also encouraging consumers to look beyond the scoop and take the fight into their own hands by sending a message to the prime minister, treasurer and federal energy minister via its website.