OnePlanet Catalogue

In 2008 One Planet undertook a feasibility study for a catalogue of sustainable products and services. The idea was to produce an ‘IKEA’ catalogue of the 20% most sustainable products in various categories. It would be a new version of the Whole Earth Catalogue which touched a soft spot with the ‘hippie generation’ in the Seventies in America. To determine which products belonged in the best 20% there was furthermore the intention of developing an objective, transparent and reliable rating system based on scientific data.

Along with ESSD Consulting One Planet produced a feasibility study for the market of the Netherlands. From this it was clear that there was a definite need for a catalogue of sustainable products. Owing to the many eco-choices on the market the consumers could not see the wood for the trees. The conclusion was that a paper catalogue would not be cost effective and also not very sustainable but that it could be replaced by a web-based application.

After this feasibility study One Planet made contact with WWF International in Geneve. They share our ambition and would like to extend this on a European or worldwide scale. WWF has signed an exclusive declaration of intent with One Planet and ESSD to spread the One Planet Catalogue even wider. At present much work is going into finding the funding for a new One Planet Catalogue BV. At present world-renowned experts in LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) are involved in this undertaking so that all ‘marketing greenwash’ will come to light and a robust rating system will develop to which the WWF wishes to pledge its name. Matters are becoming exciting here at this new undertaking in Stationsplein 16 , Amersfoort, because in November 2009 the website will go live!

The Catalogue initiative once more confirms the role of the One Planet Foundation as an initiator of innovative and practical sustainable projects which lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions and ecological Footprint. With the aid of social and other subsidies feasibility studies are done, partners sought and ideas and concepts developed within the Foundation. When these initiatives have developed to the stage where they are capable of drawing external finances and can become independent, they leave the Foundation and continue to grow as fledgling companies. Consequently small remuneration flows back to the Foundation which then can continue developing new initiatives.

The OnePlanet Catalogue BV will become an independent subdivision of the One Planet Foundation. Its management consists of Ed Monchen and Dagmar Janousek.