‘be green Day’: Solidarity Across Borders

Author readings, discussion panels, bike doctor, organic cafeteria meals, planting actions, carpools, adopt-a-seal programs and improv theater: In its third year "be green Day" again raised a lot of attention across all Bertelsmann divisions. "I'm delighted by the great response around the world – the number of participating companies has increased by more than 20 percent over last year," says Katrin Gaertner, "be green" team Director and Head of Public Affairs. "Sustainability is a megatrend, and I'm very pleased that the ‘be green’ team has managed to establish Bertelsmann’s Environment Day as an institution. As a company, we want to be part of the solution – not part of the problem."

"be green Day" once again revolved around protecting the climate, the environment, and natural resources. Teams at the various companies had prepared diverse programs designed to inform employees and encourage environmentally friendly behavior. The "be green" team – the international working group of environmental officers from all divisions – thanks all colleagues, and especially the many, many volunteers who helped make the day of action a success at Bertelsmann locations around the world: "The 'be green Days' have shown how much each of us can contribute personally to protecting the climate and the environment," reads a letter from the "be green" team. "'be green Day' unites Bertelsmann companies across national and divisional borders in a very special - green - way. We are pleased that 55 locations in 16 countries participated in World Environment Day. Our colleagues are the most important multipliers in the process, and act as our ambassadors.”

The "be green" team has jointly managed environmental and climate protection at Bertelsmann, across divisional borders, since 2003. It is the organizer and driving force behind the "be green Days."