Our chosen carbon reduction and biodiversity restoration projects

Hannah Khwaja, Data Analyst

Earlier this year we carried out a carbon footprint assessment to help us develop an environmental policy and carbon reduction plan. One of the key tasks that we included in our plan was to identify carbon reduction and biodiversity restoration schemes that we could contribute to, so that we could mitigate our unavoidable carbon emissions.

Researching potential options for environmental offsetting can seem overwhelming at first. There’s a lot out there to choose from, but many are profiteering from people’s good intentions with schemes that are actually ‘worthless junk’.

As a social enterprise, when doing our research we kept our values at the forefront. We looked for opportunities that provided broader social as well as environmental benefits. And we decided we wanted to support both a scheme here in the UK, and an international scheme, recognising the global nature of carbon emissions and biodiversity loss.

After making a shortlist, we took a vote… and we are delighted to introduce you to the two charities we will be supporting for our 2023-2026 strategic period.

Trees for Cities

London-based charity Trees for Cities do what they say on the tin – they work at a national and international scale to improve lives by planting trees in cities.

“Cities and their inhabitants stand to bear a significant proportion of the impact of the climate and ecological emergencies. More than half of the world’s population is living in urban areas, and in the UK this figure is over 80%.

As an ever-expanding evidence base proves, trees and woodlands are one of the most effective nature-based solutions for mitigating climate change through their role as a carbon sink, for adapting to climatic shifts such as increased temperatures and rainfall, and for providing habitat to protect and enhance biodiversity and bio-abundance.

We get stuck in with local communities to cultivate lasting change in their neighbourhoods – whether it’s revitalising forgotten spaces, creating healthier environments or getting people excited about growing, foraging, and eating healthy food.”

We really liked Trees for Cities’ focus on social as well as environmental outcomes, with a beautifully visualised Theory of Change that illustrates how they will enable and inspire people to plant and protect urban trees, supporting the development of healthy, accessible, functional and resilient urban forests.

To date, Trees for Cities have planted over 1.7 million trees, and last year they engaged with over 35,000 people. We are delighted that we will be supporting them in their activities.

Cool Earth

Cool Earth champions the relationship between people, rainforest and climate.

“Right now, the world is in a climate crisis. The most effective way to fight back is to protect the best carbon-storing technology that already exists: rainforest. And the best way to do that? Back, support, and listen to the people living there.

Indigenous peoples and local communities have lived in balance with rainforest for thousands of years and are the real rainforest experts. They are people who face extreme injustice whilst living on the front line of the climate crisis.

No strings cash is the most ethical way to back people. No directions, just freedom-giving choices to act, adapt and continue protecting the greatest carbon sinks on Earth.”

We were really impressed by Cool Earth’s people-centred approach and unconditional support for the communities who know how best to preserve the ‘lungs of the earth’.

Cool Earth supports more than 40 projects which cover 241,000 hectares of tropical forest, protected by 31,000 people. These areas contain over 108 million trees and store 177 million tonnes of carbon. We are thrilled to be able to help them continue their work.

Where are you in your sustainability journey?

We’d love to hear from other small businesses and nonprofits about what you’re doing (and we could be doing too!) to build towards a greener future.