On Friday, 13 March, eBucks invited both staff and members to co-collaborate in its greening efforts to help combat climate change and in so doing, planted 101 indigenous trees in Cosmo City, through Food and Trees for Africa (FTFA).

Individuals are waking up to the fact that global warming is a reality and that we each need to do our bit to mitigate, and where possible, reverse some of the damage.

Like never before, corporates are also beginning to understand and act upon the growing importance of 'generosity' as a leading societal and business mindset. This in the wake of rising consumer disgust, sparked by a global recession, as well as feelings that greedy conglomerates care very little about their or the planet's welfare. 'Giving' to the planet is becoming the new 'taking'.

On this premise, eBucks is spearheading eco-drives to engage its employees and members in acts of sustainable creation. Last year, eBucks donated 4 500 plants in its initial steps towards greening Cosmo City.

Charity, or in this case – eco-generosity, starts at home. Says Lezanne Human, eBucks CEO, "As an eco-sensitive brand, we are constantly striving to implement internal, as well as external initiatives through which we can boost the environment, instead of simply limiting our damage."

eBucks actively implements several programmes grounded on the 3R's of reduce, reuse and recycle. The most innovative of these being the virtualisation of its data environment, resulting in a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions.

Concludes Human, "At eBucks, we are not content to do the bare minimum. Eco-generosity for us is not the latest buzz word which requires a strive towards carbon neutrality. It's about going beyond carbon neutral and becoming carbon positive – together with the co-donation of resources and passion, from our staff and members."

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

• Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) is South Africa's national greening, climate change action and food security social enterprise; implementing several national programmes and many projects in partnership with government and the private sector for the benefit of disadvantaged communities
• In the past 19 years, FTFA has distributed over 3.5 million trees and facilitated the development of over 2 500 organic food gardens for the poorest in South Africa