Sustainable Change in 7 Questions with CoGo Founder, Ben Gleisner

What you care about matters, and now it can make a difference through every purchase decision you make. This month an exciting new shopping platform will be announced. One that has been in the works for over 10 years. A world-first technology that will transform every pound you spend into a vote for a better future, while connecting you with businesses that share your values.

Every transaction you make tells businesses what it is you care about. Whether that be issues such as climate change and worker rights, this new App encourages business to adopt new practices in these areas. We took a moment to ask founder of CoGo, Ben Gleisner, what sustainable luxury is to him and what it is he wants to see change in the world.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and what you do? 
   
   I'm passionate about doing what I can do to leave the world better than I found it. I've done a bunch of things in the last 20 years, including running my own cafe, establishing a charity that put on large eco music festivals, working as a Treasury economist on how to measure progress beyond GDP... and being a dad! I have just moved from New Zealand to the UK with my family to launch a tech platform called CoGo, that connects consumers with businesses for the good of people and the planet.
   
   
2. Everyone has an unexpected luxury - or a different way of defining luxury. What does luxury mean to you? What do you consider to be a luxury that others might not? 
   
   I define luxury often by the simple things in life. A quite morning at home when the kids are with their grandmothers. I cup of tea and a biscuit when I first get to work. I am very lucky to be in a position of really enjoying the core of my life, which allows me to reflect on simple things like that with a rosy glow! I also feel extremely lucky to be able to afford to spend a little more knowing that the stuff I buy has environmental and social considerations. That is a luxury few of us have in the world.
   
   
3. What is the most environmentally or socially positive project you have ever worked on? 
   
   CoGo! Well, the platform started off as "Conscious Consumers" in New Zealand - and for 7 years was a charity that we all mostly worked for free on. We have inspired 100s of businesses to adopt positive practices and inspired and informed 1000s of consumers. Eco music festivals and well-being frameworks are a close second!
   
   
4. Do you think the future of consumption is sustainable? Why? Why not? 
   
   We need to fundamentally transform our global economy if we want to sustain life as we know it on the earth. It is possible, and in my mind will actually make for a better life for all consumers/people. We need to think about a more circular design to the economy, where if we need to use raw materials we use the outputs of one production as inputs to another ... and continue that cycle. 
   
   
5. Do you have a piece of clothing or an accessory that you have had forever - a completely indispensable classic? (send us pics!!)  
   
   Yes!! My messenger bag. I love it to pieces and it has been with me for 10+ years (and never fallen into pieces!)
   
   
6. Tell us about the last thing you bought which would be considered socially or environmentally sustainable. What were the most important factors for you when choosing it?  
   
   Pair of shoes from Pozu. Have you seen their AMAZING products - and environmental story behind them? So inspiring. 
   
   
7. If you could make one change in your own industry, to make it better, what would that be? 
   
   Tech companies need to think about the energy they use and try and get companies like Amazon to only use renewables!

We believe together, our voice can be a powerful motivator for change! See the good work the CoGo community is already doing. Your voice can absolutely make a difference to how businesses operate and this new innovative technology lets you see exactly how. Elvis & Kresse are proud to be one of the founding businesses to join CoGo. Being transparent and listening to what our customers care about is now even easier.

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