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Case study: Midcounties Co-operative

<h2>About Midcounties Co-operative</h2>
<a href="https://ecologi.com/yourcoop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Midcounties Co-operative</a>, publically known as Your Co-op, is a thriving co-operative with businesses in Food, Travel, Childcare, Energy, Telecoms, Post Offices and Flexible Benefits. With a model that’s based around the core values of democracy, openness, equality and social Responsibility, the profits they make allow them to support the communities they serve. The Midcounties Co-operative’s purpose is all about building a fairer, more sustainable, and ethical future, so they’re very much our perfect climate partner.

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<h2>Issue </h2>
Prior to starting funding climate action with Ecologi, as a large and multi-faceted organisation,The Midcounties Co-operative already had a relatively complex climate strategy and carbon footprint which varied considerably between trading divisions. When the team decided to get to grips with their footprint in 2022, they partnered with EcoAct and carried out a detailed analysis of scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
Using the robust and externally-verified data provided, the team set clear reduction goals based on sustainability-linked finance targets and a public pledge to reduce direct GHG emissions by 50%. They also set near-term Science-Based Targets for scopes 1, 2 and 3, which were validated by the SBTi.
They got off to a great start, smashing their 2023/24 goal of reducing GHG emissions by 25% compared to 2019, and actually achieving a highly impressive 32%. This was mainly done through investment in energy-efficiency measures in stores, including refrigeration upgrades, automation and LED lighting. In parallel they also worked with Younity and Octopus Energy on an amazing initiative to provide funding for community renewable energy projects. 
Meeting the expectations of their community was a key factor in the team’s decision to partner with Ecologi. As a member-owned co-operative society, they frequently conduct research which shows time and time again that climate change and the environment are top priorities for their members. 
The team saw a not-to-be-missed opportunity to bundle climate impact and tree planting into their products, and to use Ecologi’s sub-forest feature to enable their customers to see the carbon footprint of their wider product range while also showing customers how it can be mitigated.

<h2>Challenge</h2>
The Midcounties Co-operative were prioritising finding a high-quality climate action partner and were impressed and reassured by Ecologi’s commitment to <a href="https://ecologi.com/transparency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trust and transparency</a>. By providing certified evidence of impact after Midcounties scoped the emissions of broadband and mobile products, we allowed them to offer members climate action solutions with full confidence.

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<h2>Solution </h2>
The Midcounties Co-operative is committed to building a fairer, more sustainable, and ethical future, so the Ecologi partnership was a natural step on their journey. A key part of our work together was building climate impact into their proposition for their broadband and mobile products to help customers give back to the planet.
They do this by funding monthly carbon avoidance, including nature-based, renewables and community-based projects, which is greater than the emissions produced by their products and services (calculated and inclusive of a significant margin of error), while also contributing to reforestation through tree planting. Their travel business also plants a tree for every Co-op Holiday booking, and The Midcounties Co-operative  signed up to the Million Tree Pledge in December 2022.
Sharing success is important to The Midcounties Co-operative, and they use our detailed climate impact project pages to create their own online project spotlights, showcasing the impact of the projects they support. Customers and members are regularly encouraged to explore their collective impact on the Ecologi profile pages, with sub-forests created for different trading divisions.

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<blockquote>Colleagues are regularly updated on the progress of our tree-planting and climate impact through Ecologi, and it’s cited as a key example of how our colleagues and members are doing good together, and making an impact on communities experiencing climate change around the world.</blockquote>

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<h2>Outcome</h2>
Since 2021, The Midcounties Co-operative has funded the planting of 157,046 trees, avoided 4,721 tonnes of CO2e and supported 50 projects.
This is an outstanding achievement, which is why we’ve recognised them as a “Gold Award Winner” in our most recent For our Planet Awards.

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Improved brand reputation and an increased ability to attract new customers are among the key benefits of the Ecologi partnership. The Utilities trading group in particular has seen a notable change in the demographic of customers taking up their mobile and broadband services for the first time, and they have enjoyed real success in recruiting younger customers.
Building climate impact into broadband and mobile products has also proven useful in retaining existing customers. Not only can they save money by extending their mobile and broadband products, but they can also contribute towards climate impact. This unbeatable offer has helped the Utilities division to maintain extremely low churn rates for their industry. 
Clearly, including climate impact in products and creating a straightforward customer offer to evidence their long-standing environmental aspirations has really helped The Midcounties Co-operative rally their community and engage both new and existing customers alike. 
Stuart Newman, Head of Utilities at Your Co-op, said:
<blockquote>Ecologi provides us with a range of simple, transparent and extremely powerful solutions for incorporating environmental impact into our businesses. Their expertise and innovation has given us the confidence to put climate impact at the heart of our Utilities offerings, and the engaging and technical tools they provide like business forests and sub-forests, or the impact purchase APIs, make funding and celebrating climate impact really easy.</blockquote>

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<h2>Is your business ready to take climate action?</h2>
If this article has inspired your business to start its climate journey, talk to our team today.

Schedule a call with our team

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Case Study: Solo Service Group

<h2>About Solo Service Group</h2>
Solo Service Group is a national provider of commercial cleaning services, boasting a workforce of over 3,000 employees and a diverse range of clients. It’s one of the largest independent cleaning companies in the UK, with over three decades of experience in the industry.
Solo Service Group embraces innovation and prides itself on developing solutions for every challenge it encounters. This applies just as much to taking climate action as it does delivering excellence to clients.

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<h2>Issue</h2>
Solo Service Group is acutely aware of the potential impact its business operations could have on the environment. Driven by this awareness, the team are resolute in their mission to mitigate and, where possible, eliminate these effects. This commitment has led the team to adopt environmentally-friendly materials, embrace innovative technologies, and even reshape their daily operations. 
Their approach to safeguarding the environment revolves around proactively curbing their carbon footprint. They know that to reduce you need to measure first, so this approach requires a robust baseline to work from. 
Solo Service Group began calculating their emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol guidance in 2022, and this process required a complete review of their footprinting methodology to accurately account for Scopes 1,2 and 3 emissions. 
Solo Service Group can be running a fleet of around 100 vehicles at any one time through the course of its operations, resulting in the emissions associated with this fleet being identified as the primary source of direct emissions. 
Solo Service Group took the decision to work with Ecologi to balance the unavoidable direct emissions from their fleet as it works towards an ambitious and commendable emissions reduction strategy, with the bold goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2030 (a full two decades ahead of the government target).

<h2>Challenges</h2>
When the decision was made to support climate action, the team at Solo Service Group were adamant that any investments made must be transparent and backed by accreditation to international standards. 
The team were reassured by Ecologi’s commitment to trust and transparency, and in particular the fact that all carbon credits for purchase are easy to view and understand, with clear evidence of their certification by carbon standards.

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<h2>Solution </h2>
Sustainability is at the core of how Solo Service Group runs its business. As they work to reduce their carbon footprint and reach net-zero by 2030, the team has initiated a raft of measures including QR codes replacing paper documents, investing in hybrid and electric vehicles, and using plastic waste-free cleaning products that hold FSC/PEFC approval, are vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free. 
They are continuously researching and trialling new products and ways to reduce their impact, and their dedication to a better future led them to working with Ecologi. The decision to join Ecologi was unanimous at board level, as the platform offered a way to clearly and simply mitigate the unavoidable emissions from their fleet, through the funding of accredited carbon avoidance credits.
Working with Ecologi is already having a positive impact for Solo Service Group from both an environmental and commercial perspective, through improved brand reputation and competitive advantage. The team are quick to leverage the impact across internal and external communications, and share their good work across their social media channels and regular newsletters using Ecologi’s badges and Toolkit.

<h2>Outcome</h2>
Since 2022, Solo Service Group has funded 875 tonnes of CO2e avoidance credits by funding three different projects. That’s the equivalent of 671 long haul flights.

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The global projects supported include generating solar power in Indonesia, producing energy from captured methane in India, and preserving over 70,000 hectares of Amazon rainforest in Brazil.
Joseph Julian Blackmore, Environmental Manager at Solo Service Group, said:

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<h2>Is your business ready to take climate action?</h2>
If this article has inspired your business to start its climate journey, talk to our team today.

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Case study: Mulberry

<h2>About Mulberry</h2>
Established in Somerset in 1971, Mulberry has grown to become the largest maker of luxury leather goods in the United Kingdom. With a contemporary take on British heritage and a focus on responsible craft, the brand’s ambition is to create progressive luxury which is made to last.

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<h2>Issue </h2>
From its beginning in 1971, sustainability has been fundamental to the Mulberry ethos. In 2021, Mulberry celebrated its 50-year anniversary, and used that milestone to affirm its commitment to keeping these values at the heart of the brand, with the launch of the Made to Last Manifesto. The Manifesto laid out an ambitious commitment to transform the business to a regenerative and circular model by 2030, encompassing the entire supply chain from field to wardrobe. 
The manifesto is also underpinned by a bold commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, across scopes 1, 2 and 3. All emissions associated with Mulberry’s UK operations and purchased leather are balanced through verified carbon credits from the World Land Trust, but the team at Mulberry knows that this alone is not a long-term solution. 
So for the last three years, the team has worked closely with the Carbon Trust to analyse and assess data from across the business and supply chain to establish a rigorous baseline to underpin their carbon reduction strategy. 
Mulberry has aligned their approach with the new Forestry, Land Use and Agriculture (FLAG) sector guidance published by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) in 2022. They submitted proposed reduction targets to the SBTI in February 2023 and hope to have them approved and announced in 2024.  
Mulberry is already seeing some amazing success by investing in renewable energy. They achieved a 9.5% reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions across scope 1 &amp; 2 over the last year (to April 2024). And a 360kW solar photovoltaic array installed at its Somerset factory will generate ten times more renewable electricity than the outgoing system &#8211; around 60% of the electricity needed to power the site each year. As raw materials sourcing represents 32% of Mulberry’s emissions, the brand is also committed to pioneering a hyper-local, hyper-transparent regenerative leather supply chain.
These commitments demand a reimagining of how the business operates, which requires each and every employee globally to engage with and share the brand vision. Fostering a culture of sustainability, where each employee understands how their day-to-day work contributes to the success of Mulberry’s net zero target, will be necessary to achieve these goals.

<h2>Solution </h2>
Mulberry was already well on top of its climate obligations, but in working with Ecologi it aimed to go beyond mitigating its business and leather footprint, ensuring that sustainability is part of every employee’s journey. The partnership helps develop deeper understanding, ownership and commitment around Mulberry’s 2035 net-zero target, among employees right across the business. 
For example, every new employee is welcomed and introduced to the topic of climate change and the businesses’ net-zero 2035 goal with the planting of one extra tree in Mulberry’s virtual “Welcome” forest.

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Additionally, every quarter the team calculates the carbon impact from all flights taken across the business and balances this amount by investing in carbon avoidance projects with Ecologi. This works alongside a new travel policy, which asks all business travellers to examine their environmental impact when planning work trips.
Mulberry also commits to ongoing reforestation by funding tree planting to mark significant internal milestones, celebrations and events, including their annual Festive Advent Calendar and retail training days.
Each of these initiatives is used as an internal communications opportunity to educate employees on Mulberry’s climate journey. Both the Ecologi virtual forest and Mulberry’s internal communication platform are used to share information across the business. The team regularly shares sustainability communications covering various topics to help broaden colleagues&#8217; knowledge.
Our very own Head of Commercial Operations, Charli Adamson, was also invited into Mulberry’s London office in early 2024 to present to the Made to Last Ambassadors &#8211; Mulberry’s internal network of sustainability champions. Charli showcased Ecologi’s suite of products and explained how the partnership is supporting Mulberry’s climate journey.

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<h2>Outcome</h2>
Since 2022, Mulberry has funded the planting of 1,300 trees and avoided 568 tonnes of CO2e &#8211; equivalent to 436 long haul flights.

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Mulberry’s work with Ecologi has allowed the team to further support internal communications for their Made to Last strategy, as part of a net-zero future. Fundamentally the partnership has helped to develop better employee understanding around net-zero and drive engagement in Mulberry’s net-zero 2035 target. 
Data from the HR department shows that almost every candidate who Mulberry interviews for a role mentions sustainability as part of the interview process.

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Head of Sustainability, Rosie Wollacott Phillips, said: “Our Made to Last Manifesto lays out our ambitious commitment to transform the business to a regenerative and circular model, and to become net-zero by 2035. We’re working closely with our partners on meaningful environmental and social projects to offset our carbon impact, while implementing our radical reduction strategy. Our partnership with Ecologi has supported employee understanding of our net-zero journey, from the first day employees join Mulberry with our tree planting scheme for new starters, to internal celebrations and travel.”

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Case study: Ellers Farm Distillery

<h2>About Ellers Farm Distillery </h2>
Ellers Farm is a Yorkshire-based distillery built on an ethos of responsibility, and the simple principle of balancing people, planet, and profit. The team is on a mission to build the most respected spirits business in the world, by creating the very best vodka in a way that gives back more than it takes. And they do it all with smiles on their faces and a glass in their hands! 
Ellers Farm Distillery achieved B Corp certification in September 2023 and working with Ecologi has been key to them achieving that accolade.

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<h2>Issue </h2>
The good people of Ellers Farm know that to future-proof their business they need to look after their most precious worker &#8211; and that’s the environment they rely on to produce their product. 
Ellers Farm Distillery are members of the SME Climate Hub and signatories of The Climate Pledge. They’ve committed to reaching net-zero by 2040 and halving their carbon emissions by 2030 using a 2023 baseline. That’s a reduction trajectory that’s aligned with science-based targets, and the necessary path to limit global warming to 1.5°C. 
They know that effective action starts with accurate measurements. So Ellers Farm Distillery used robust carbon accounting methods to calculate the carbon footprint of the business in 2023, updating their data from the previous year. Every corner of the value chain was fully mapped out, placing them in the perfect position to understand and tackle their emissions hotspots.
The team wants to lead by example and inspire their industry peers to do the same, because they know that protecting nature and developing circular infrastructure is the best investment their business can make. They’re a group of people very much after our own hearts, and by working with Ecologi they were able to catalyse these shared values and turn them to action.

<h2>Challenges</h2>
With such a firm commitment to responsibility, greenwashing was a pitfall that the team were determined to avoid. They believe that in the absence of robust ESG compliance requirements and regulations for small to medium-sized businesses like themselves, good intentions are simply not good enough. So they had no intention of making any unsubstantiated environmental claims. 
In Ecologi they found a trusted organisation that shares their values and vision for the future. The transparency provided by Ecologi, as well as our approach to environmental protection through a wide variety of different projects, meant we were the perfect match.

<h2>Solution </h2>
Ellers Farm Distillery has been going from strength to strength on its climate journey, particularly from an operational perspective. Despite a 117% increase in production volume, they achieved a remarkable 24% reduction in their corporate carbon footprint from 2022 to 2023, largely thanks to better energy efficiency and purchasing practices.
One example of this is their iconic Dutch Barn Vodka bottles. They are crafted from 68% post-consumer recycled content and contain 40% less glass than the average spirit bottle, with raw materials travelling less than 60 miles from a Sheffield-based manufacturer. As a result, the carbon footprint of the bottle is 75% lower than conventional alternatives.

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Working with Ecologi builds on this great work. In particular, part of their 2030 strategy is to contribute to a more sustainable future through the strategic funding of impactful projects outside their value chain. By facilitating their support of a variety of carbon reduction projects, Ecologi has really helped the team go above and beyond. 
Ecologi also helps Ellers Farm Distillery fund the planting of one tree for every new subscriber to its email newsletters, offering an opportunity to engage and educate consumers around sustainability early in the relationship. Additionally, all employees benefit from an Ecologi Climate Action Workforce subscription, which contributes to climate projects on behalf of every member of the Ellers Farm team.

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Antonia Doncila, Sustainability Manager at Ellers Farm Distillery noted:
<blockquote>As a start up, our reach is still catching up with our global ambitions. That’s why, to make sure each penny we spend delivers maximum positive impact, we work with fellow B Corp, Ecologi, to choose the right projects.</blockquote>
Finally, working with Ecologi is an important part of how Ellers Farm shares its impact with its stakeholders. They engage all employees around their work with Ecologi from the very beginning through the onboarding process, and share the results of the projects supported every month.

<h2>Outcome</h2>
Since October 2020, Ellers Farm Distillery has funded the planting of over 8,800 trees, and prevented the emission of 420 tonnes of CO2e through a range of certified carbon avoidance projects.

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One amazing project that Ellers Farm has supported is a <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/mataven-colombia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">forest protection project</a> in Mataven, Columbia, which is protecting 1,150,200 hectares of tropical forests from illegal logging and agricultural use, while providing education, infrastructure and sustainable economic growth for over 16,000 indigenous people.

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Protecting our planet starts at home, so in addition to funding these incredible global projects, the team has restored 3 hectares of habitat around their distillery. Ellers Farm Distillery makes vodka from British apples, so by planting their own orchard next to their distillery, they have taken an important step towards reducing their land and water footprints, while restoring the ecosystems they rely on.
Ellers Farm’s commitment to using business as a force for good, as demonstrated through their work with Ecologi, has boosted an already strong brand reputation, attracting customers, staff and like-minded leaders to their community.
The true power of a brand backed by purpose was shown in November 2023, when global superstar Ricky Gervais joined the team as the new co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery. Aside from his comedic talent, Gervais has long been a champion for environmental causes. His desire to come on board to work with this leading sustainable and ethical spirits business is testament to everything the team has achieved, and continues to achieve. His creativity and platform promises to take the brand to a whole new level.

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Antonia Doncila, Sustainability Manager at Ellers Farm Distillery concluded:
<blockquote>We are firm believers that sustainability isn&#8217;t about sacrifice, it&#8217;s about reimagining our way of life within the framework of a circular economy. We make our spirits from apples, a quintessential British symbol with an important role in habitat creation. We thus know how much our business relies on nature and whatever it takes from the planet, we will give more back.</blockquote>

Case study: How Midcounties Co-operative is rallying a community around climate impact

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Case Study: How Solo Service Group is embracing sustainability while gaining competitive advantage

Case study: How Mulberry is driving deeper employee engagement around its net-zero journey

Case study: How Ellers Farm Distillery is changing the spirits industry for good

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