Earth Day emails that resonate with eco-conscious shoppers

With each passing year, Earth Day is increasingly pertinent as worldwide cries for greater eco-consciousness and environmental responsibility grow. 

Hence, Earth Day-themed emails are highly relevant in 2024. If there’s any time to tout your Shopify store’s eco-friendly practices or back a sustainability initiative, it’s April 22. 

For some brands, the cause merits a multi-email campaign spanning a week or two, or even the entire month. 

We’re running through:

• The benefits of Earth Day emails
• Cautions when joining the global environmental awareness event
• Earth Day email examples and tips for making your eco-friendly emails shine
• Subject line ideas to get your messages opened
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Why you should consider an Earth Day email

If the environment is a top priority for many, it’s also a concern for current and prospective customers. 

There’s a dizzying amount of data showing the importance of environmental issues. Here are two ecommerce-related stats to ponder: 

• 32% of Americans say they think of the environment either all or most of the time when making purchase decisions
• A company’s sustainability position influences purchase decisions for 65% of consumers

Such public sentiment explains why some brands flex Earth Day into an Earth Month email campaign. 

But you say, “The environment matters to me, but my brand isn’t helping the cause.” While only some brands can tackle climate change at the scale of companies like TOMS or Patagonia, what stops you from raising awareness? You could share tips for extending the life of one of your best-selling products or promote eco-conscious movements that matter to you.  

All cases demonstrate that your Shopify store cares about the planet. Tactful Earth Day emails are a chance to leave an impression, be relevant, build trust, and help move the brand loyalty needle.
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Earth Day emails also keep subscribers interested and engaged by adding variety to the newsletter mix.

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Why you need to approach Earth Day emails with care

We hope you regularly think through your emails, from the newsletter structure to your overarching email strategy. 

Earth Day messages deserve extra scrutiny, as their pure nature crosses into cause marketing territory. 

You don’t want to create skepticism by putting on a show for one day and forgetting about sustainability until April 22 rolls around again. 

People can smell inauthenticity. A poll found that 83% of Americans think that “many companies say they do good things for the environment because it is good for their public image, not because they care.”

The lesson: Stay away from misleading statements and overall greenwashing. Shine a light on your meaningful, eco-conscious efforts without exaggerating. 

Also, focus on the positive and promote preventive actions. A Harris Poll found that ads emphasizing how humans destroy the planet can be a turnoff. One in five respondents said they would be less likely to support such a brand.
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9 Earth Day email examples to engage subscribers

Our email hunt revealed many ways to leverage Earth Day, some of which you’ll see from the examples below.

You could also consider Earth Day emails that touch on: 

• A trade-in/resale program
• A recycling program
• Ways you decrease emissions via transportation efficiency
• An earth-friendly return policy 
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1. Reveal your eco-friendly impact

Here’s an interesting stat: 78% of study respondents said they want to buy from “environmentally friendly companies but don’t know how to identify them.” 

So, educate consumers about how you’re advancing sustainability. Below are three examples.  

Give an overview like Zutano

Zutano clearly defines how it’s helping the planet by calling out three initiatives and explaining why they matter.

Focus on one green initiative like LOLI Beauty

LOLI Beauty dedicates an email to the composition of its packaging and encourages customers to do their part by repurposing its glass containers. 

Share the data like Nuzest

Nuzest knows that numbers talk. The brand also understands that when demonstrating impact, carbon dioxide weight measurements are meaningless to the average consumer. Equivalencies like trees saved and burgers consumed are tangible and easy to grasp. 

Ask yourself: How does my brand support sustainability? Can I tell my brand’s eco-conscious impact with data?‍

2. Highlight a product’s eco-conscious features

Packaging and related sustainable practices are one aspect of environmental stewardship. Elements that go into making the product are another. The two examples below showcase eco-conscious products in different ways.

Remind subscribers of how your product does good like Who Gives a Crap 

Who Gives a Crap reels in subscribers with a sale before reinforcing its commitment to improving the planet. Highlighting that its toilet paper is made of 100% recycled or bamboo material may be secondary, but it carries impact.   

Dive deep like John Masters’ Organics

Any brand with “organics” in its name should have high eco-friendly standards. Regardless, John Masters’ Organics reinforces its commitment by providing clean ingredient details. 

Ask yourself: Are my products free of harmful chemicals? Do I source ingredients responsibly? Is it recyclable or biodegradable?  ‍‍

3. Share industry-relevant, eco-responsible tips   

We love how jeweler Holden inserts itself into the environmental conversation. The brand sells engagement and wedding rings, so a post about eco-friendly weddings makes perfect sense. 

Holden earns extra points for a secondary call to action (CTA) about its carbon-neutral certified status. 

‍Ask yourself: What eco-conscious topic can my brand speak to?‍

4. Champion an environmental cause

Many merchants support eco-conscious causes, like participating in a clean-up event or donating to organizations that fight climate change. Some show their support during April, while others are committed year-round. 

Spotlight a worthy cause you're aiding and emphasize how customers empower your philanthropic efforts. In the example below, Tactics commits itself to planting a tree for every branded skateboard sold over the month.

It’s easy to find a charitable option to support, such as organizations focused on:

• Environmental, water and biodiversity conservation
• Mitigating climate change
• Waste reduction and recycling
• Sustainable fashion
• Sustainable agriculture and food systems
• Environmental justice

‍Ask yourself: What environmental cause aligns with my brand’s values?‍

5. Partner with brands for an Earth Day giveaway

Partnering with merchants to broaden brand exposure is a regularity in the Shopify ecosystem. 

If your products inherently support sustainability — and your network includes others committed to being environmentally responsible — try an Earth Day-themed giveaway.  

Social media is the standard channel for promotion. Email marketing can give it a boost. 

KiZE Concept’s newsletter spreads the word about a prize pack giveaway of seven of its “favorite natural and sustainable brands.” The brand also capitalizes on the opportunity to sneak in best-sellers at the bottom.

Ask yourself: Does an Earth Day giveaway make sense, even if going solo?‍

6. Educate subscribers about environmental issues

We previously mentioned the idea of sharing tips. Elevate it to another level by providing educational tidbits. 

This approach can be challenging to pull off, depending on your brand. Only do it if you can muster an angle that relates, such as the example below from 4ocean. 

Each Earth Day fact relates to the ocean. It’s a fitting approach, as proceeds help rid oceans of plastic. 

‍Ask yourself: What environmental knowledge relates to my brand or products?‍

Best practices for Earth Day emails

As with any newsletter, email marketing best practices make for better results. 

On-point Earth Day subject lines

Clear and compelling subject lines foster better open rates. Intrigue doesn’t mean misleading, though. Ensure the copy relates to the email content so you don’t catfish your subscribers. 

Snag these Earth Day email subject line ideas: 

• Mother Earth approved: our eco-friendly faves
• 🌎 Earth Day sale on our sustainable collection
• How we’re helping the planet year-round
• 🌳Make a purchase today, and we’ll plant a tree  
• Our journey to becoming more environmentally friendly 
• Eco-friendly ___ for you 
• Make conscious choices this Earth Day and every day
• Save $ while you help the planet
• 🪴 Go green with our top sustainable picks
• Shop carbon neutral 

Slick visuals

It’s nice to have a visual tie-in to the environmental awareness theme. Otherwise, subscribers might feel the subject line has deceived them and won’t continue reading. Just don’t litter your email with an obnoxious display of green imagery. Walk the tightrope of amplifying your message without drowning it out.    

Strong CTA

Prompting subscribers to take the next step — so they visit your storefront — is essential for every email you send. Be direct with action words like “Learn More” or “Shop Eco-Friendly Products.” Place your CTA “above the fold” rather than buried at the bottom, and use more than one CTA if necessary. 

Self-promote

Earth Day emails are about a global cause. But there’s room to advocate for yourself. Give subscribers a taste of what you offer, even if it’s sliding in product recommendations toward the newsletter’s end.   

Consider audiences

A study found two groups of consumers — which compose more than half of the U.S. population — have emerged around sustainability: 

1. Glamour Greens (about 39%) tend to be younger and wealthier, with a penchant for being on-trend 
2. Carbon Cultured (about 20%) typically care more deeply about environmental issues but are conscious of price and value 

Contemplate whether you want to attract either or both segments and, if so, how to cater your messaging. 

Make your brand visible on Earth Day with Seguno

Earth Day emails are a chance to engage with and educate your subscribers. If you can create a meaningful email newsletter or campaign, go for it. You’ll dial into an important issue among many consumers. 

Use one of the Earth Day email examples to inspire your sustainable-minded email strategy. Or if a straightforward sale is more up your alley, grab one of our professionally designed Earth Day email templates.   

Our top advice is to embrace the essence of Earth Day. Consumers will have higher regard and trust for your brand when you put thought into your message. 

And don’t forget about the remainder of the year. While Earth Day is a natural time for environmental awareness emails, you’ll build a reputation as an environmentally responsible brand if you sprinkle in eco-focused newsletters throughout the year.