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How does deforestation impact wildlife and biodiversity? What you need to know.

Forests cover <a href="https://www.fao.org/state-of-forests/en/">31% of the land</a> on our planet, and they are critically important for stabilising the climate, absorbing approximately <a href="https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/forests-and-climate-change#:~:text=Approximately%202.6%20billion%20tonnes%20of,America%20%E2%80%93%20offer%20opportunities%20for%20restoration.">2.6 billion tonnes of CO2</a> each year. They also provide more than <a href="http://www.fao.org/state-of-forests/en/">86 million</a> green jobs and support the livelihoods of many more. An estimated<a href="http://www.fao.org/state-of-forests/en/"> 880 million people</a> spend part of their time collecting fuel wood or producing charcoal, and of people living in extreme poverty, over <a href="http://www.fao.org/state-of-forests/en/">90%</a> are dependent on forests for at least part of their livelihoods. 
However, forests aren’t just important to us. They are also important to the wildlife that lives within them. From the boreal forests in the far North to the famously biodiverse rainforests of the tropics, forests are thought to provide habitat for <a href="http://www.fao.org/3/ca8642en/CA8642EN.pdf">80%</a> of amphibian species, <a href="http://www.fao.org/3/ca8642en/CA8642EN.pdf">75%</a> of bird species and <a href="http://www.fao.org/3/ca8642en/CA8642EN.pdf">68% </a>of mammal species. 
But these forests are being destroyed and degraded at an alarming rate. Since 1990, it is estimated that <a href="https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/CA8642EN.pdf">420 million hectares</a> of forest have been lost through conversion to other land uses. In addition, more than <a href="https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/CA8642EN.pdf">100 million hectares</a> of forest are adversely affected by forest fires, pests, diseases, invasive species, drought, and other events that are exacerbated by human activity. The main driver of deforestation and associated loss of biodiversity <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/drivers-of-deforestation">continues to be agricultural expansion, particularly large-scale commercial agriculture including cattle ranching</a> and cultivation of soybean and oil palm. You can read more about the sectors driving deforestation <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/industries-and-sectors-driving-deforestation-what-you-need-to-know">here</a>.
We decided to explore how deforestation affects the wildlife that lives in and around the world’s forests.

Wildlife is increasingly becoming threatened by human activities and changing climates. The <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/">IUCN Red List of Threatened species</a> is the world’s most comprehensive information source of the global extinction risk of animals, fungi, and plant species. It lists species and classifies how threatened they are according to the following categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near threatened and Least Concern.
Approximately <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation-and-forest-degradation">80%</a> of the world’s land-based species live in forests. When these forests are destroyed, animals lose their homes and are often unable to survive in the small fragments of forests left behind. The <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/habitat-destruction-malaysia-sumatran-rhino-critically-endangered-animals/">destruction and fragmentation of forests is the biggest driver of extinction</a> across the world. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature23285">A 2017 study</a> of more than 19,000 species of birds, amphibians, and mammals found that deforestation substantially increased the odds of species being listed on the IUCN red list as threatened and exhibiting declining populations. Even localised or small-scale deforestation can result in extinctions, as many species exist within small geographic areas.
There are a number of ways in which deforestation can impact wildlife living within and around forests.
Habitat loss – Habitat loss is probably the biggest threat to the variety of life on Earth today. It is identified as a main threat to <a href="https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/wildlife_practice/problems/habitat_loss_degradation/">85% of all species </a>described in the IUCN’s Red List. Deforestation can lead to a direct loss of wildlife habitat, with the removal of trees and other types of vegetation reducing the available food, shelter, and breeding habitat for animals. For example, tigers have lost an estimated <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/tiger">95% of their historic range</a> as their habitat has been destroyed, degraded, and fragmented by human activities.
Habitat fragmentation – While evidently interlinked, habitat loss and fragmentation are distinct concepts. Habitat loss, in relation to forests, refers to a reduction in the area of a forest, whilst habitat fragmentation involves the division of a once continuous area of forest into multiple patches. Smaller fragments of forest can support fewer animals and smaller populations are more at <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5182433/">risk of extinction</a>. For example, <a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijecol/2012/108752/">giant pandas are particularly affected by habitat fragmentation</a>, and many giant panda populations are small and isolated, resulting in limited gene flow and increased risk of inbreeding and its associated disadvantages.
Human interaction – The destruction of forests and the splitting up into smaller areas makes them more accessible to humans. This increases the occurrence of human-wildlife conflict, where the needs and behaviour of wildlife impacts negatively on humans, or when humans negatively affect wildlife. For example, this can include increased hunting and poaching of animals as they become more accessible to hunters, increased occurrence of roadkill and road traffic accidents, and wildlife causing destruction of property, crops, livestock, and even human lives. Increased contact with humans can cause species numbers to dwindle, and even go extinct. <a href="https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/wildlife_practice/problems/habitat_loss_degradation/">An example </a>is in the palm oil plantations of Africa, Latin America and Asia where large areas of rainforest are cleared to grow palm crops. Orangutans, tigers, elephants, rhinos and many other species are increasingly isolated, and their sources of food and shelter are in decline.
Change in canopy structure – The forest canopy plays an important role blocking the sun’s rays during the day and retaining heat at night. Removing trees deprives the forest of portions of its canopy, and this disruption leads to <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation/">more extreme temperature swings </a>which can be harmful to animals.
These are some of the general effects that deforestation is having on species that reside in the world’s forests. But what about the areas that Ecologi works in? What animals are being affected by deforestation – and how are we helping?

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The island of Madagascar split from Africa over 160 million years ago, and since then it has developed its own distinct ecosystems and extraordinary wildlife. An estimated <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/places/madagascar">95%</a> of Madagascar’s reptiles, <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/places/madagascar">89%</a> of its plants and <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/places/madagascar">92%</a> of its mammals are endemic, meaning they exist nowhere else on Earth. 
However, more than <a href="https://www.lcluc.umd.edu/hotspot/deforestation-madagascar">90%</a> of Madagascar’s original forests have been destroyed, displacing entire animal species. The small-scale but widespread clearance of forests, through slash and burn agriculture and logging for firewood and charcoal production is jeopardising the island’s habitats. As a result, several species such as lemurs and chameleons that evolved here over millions of years may become extinct before the end of the century. Almost a third (<a href="https://www.iucn.org/news/species/202007/almost-a-third-lemurs-and-north-atlantic-right-whale-now-critically-endangered-iucn-red-list">31%</a>) of all lemur species in Madagascar are now Critically Endangered – just one step away from extinction – with <a href="https://www.iucn.org/news/species/202007/almost-a-third-lemurs-and-north-atlantic-right-whale-now-critically-endangered-iucn-red-list">98%</a> of them threatened. Among those recently listed as critically endangered in 2020 include the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/18354/115572044">Verreaux’s Sifaka lemur</a> and the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41573/115579496">Madame Berthe’s Mouse Lemur</a>, the smallest primate in the world.
Particularly of concern in Madagascar are the mangrove forests. Madagascar contains <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/8/2/106/pdf">2% of the world’s mangroves</a>, accounting for 20% of African mangrove forests. However these are being deforested at alarming rates, and entire mangrove estuaries are now gone, leaving the bare earth to wash away into the sea. Mangroves, as well as storing massive amounts of carbon, are really important for wildlife. They provide breeding grounds and nurseries for numerous fish species and shellfish, and help trap sediments that might otherwise adversely affect habitats for marine life such as seagrass beds and coral reefs. 
The mangroves in Madagascar have critical importance for numerous endemic species that are listed on the IUCN Red List. These include bird species that use the mangroves for nesting and roosting: the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22680252/92852755">Madagascar Teal</a> listed as Endangered; the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22695121/125395004">Madagascan Fish-Eagle</a> listed as Critically Endangered; the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22697012/93598644">Madagascar Heron </a>listed as Endangered; and <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22731855/196574917">Malagasy Sacred Ibis</a> listed as Endangered.
This is why the <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/mangrove-planting-in-madagascar">mangrove planting projects</a> we support in the north west of the island are so important.  So far, the Ecologi community has funded the planting of over 45.6 million trees in Madagascan mangrove projects!

Mozambique – protection of elephant habitats

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This East African country has rich and unique ecosystems that are home to 236 species of mammal, 740 species of bird and 5,692 species of vascular plant. Additionally, Mozambique is the home to 200 endemic mammal species, such as the African elephant.
Poaching for ivory and meat has traditionally been the major cause of decline for <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12392/3339343">African elephants</a>,however currently the biggest perceived threat is the loss and fragmentation of habitat, caused by ongoing human population expansion and rapid land conversion. This has increased the amount of human-elephant conflict, which further aggravates the threat to elephant populations.
In <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/reforesting-changalane-mozambique">Mozambique</a>, the Ecologi community has already funded the planting of over 5.9 million trees, helping to bring back a thriving ecosystem and prevent further deforestation by alleviating poverty and creating a long term maintenance and protection plan.

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One of Eden Reforestation Project’s <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/reforestation-in-bosawas-nicaragua">tree planting sites in Nicaragua</a> that we have supported is within the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve, which forms part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. This is a corridor that stretches between South and North America, connecting habitats and areas of tropical forest together to allow the movement of animals from one end of the corridor to the other.
This is especially important for <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15953/123791436">jaguars</a>, which are endangered by habitat loss and fragmentation. Jaguars are the largest cat in the Americas, and have large round heads, short legs and a beautiful coat that is dotted with dark spots. These majestic animals are under serious pressure as their forest homes are being destroyed. Deforestation rates in Latin America are <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/commodity-deforestation-by-region">the highest in the world</a>, alongside tropical Africa. Fragmentation and displacement frequently lead to<a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/spcies/15953/123791436#threats"> lowering of density</a> of jaguars in forest patches. Their range has also contracted significantly: jaguars used to be found all the way from south-western USA down to central Argentina, but they now occupy less than half of their historical range.
Jaguars are a single species, with no subspecies, meaning that all populations are connected throughout their range. Therefore, connectivity is vital to these animals, and ensuring links throughout the Americas is critical to maintaining populations. If the corridor is cut up by roads and development this leads to isolated populations with fewer animals. These populations have less genetic diversity and are more <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/08/protecting-jaguars-wildlife-corridor-belize/">vulnerable to extinction.</a> 
At Ecologi, not only have we funded the <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/reforestation-in-bosawas-nicaragua">planting of trees in Nicaragua</a> to help maintain this corridor, but we also funded a project to <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/preserving-the-mesoamerican-biological-corridor-in-guatemala">protect existing rainforest</a> in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor within Guatemala, thus helping to facilitate the movement of jaguars between different areas.

Scotland – wildlife is returning to the Dalry site

Deforestation is not just a tropical phenomenon. Vast areas of Scottish forests have also been cleared, and without human intervention it is likely that much of Scotland would be covered by trees. Ever since the first foresters entered Scotland’s ancient woodlands over 6,000 years ago, its trees and forests have been felled and harvested to make space for agriculture, homes and infrastructure. By the early 20th century, forest cover in Scotland, as well as in the rest of the UK, was reduced to around <a href="https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/strategy-plan/2019/02/scotlands-forestry-strategy-20192029/documents/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029/govscot%3Adocument/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029.pdf">5%</a>. This has since increased to around <a href="https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/strategy-plan/2019/02/scotlands-forestry-strategy-20192029/documents/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029/govscot%3Adocument/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029.pdf">18.5%</a>, which is higher than the rest of the UK, but still well below the EUs average of <a href="https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/strategy-plan/2019/02/scotlands-forestry-strategy-20192029/documents/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029/govscot%3Adocument/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029.pdf">43%</a>.
Scotland’s forests and woodlands support a diverse range of over 1,000 species. These include <a href="https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/strategy-plan/2019/02/scotlands-forestry-strategy-20192029/documents/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029/govscot%3Adocument/scotlands-forestry-strategy-2019-2029.pdf">172 protected species</a>, including the pine marten, twinflower, crested tit, scottish crossbill, black grouse and the capercaillie, as well as an estimated 75% of the UK’s red squirrel population.
A reforestation project in Scotland that the Ecologi community has supported is called Dalry, once home to native Scottish wildlife but which had become barren. This <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/reforesting-scotland">project</a> is allowing wildlife to come back to this area. Jim from the Future Forest Company, our tree planting partner on this site, says, “you now see hen harriers, an endangered species, regularly on site, when before the sighting of a bird of prey was rare”. This is a great sign that the ecosystem is starting to recover.

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The WWF estimates that more than <a href="https://www.wwf.org.au/what-we-do/species/tree-clearing#gs.q5456g">80% of global deforestation</a> between 2015-30 will take place on 11 deforestation ‘fronts’. One of these is eastern Australia, in the states of Queensland and New South Wales (NSW). In Australia, tree-clearing is largely undertaken to create pasture for livestock, particularly for beef cattle production.
The impact of deforestation on wildlife is significant, with <a href="https://www.wwf.org.au/what-we-do/species/tree-clearing#gs.q5456g">964 of the 1250</a> Australian terrestrial animals’ species listed as threatened, with habitat fragmentation identified as a threat. These include <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22684733/93044196#threats">Carnaby’s cockatoo</a>, the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22678108/131902050">southern cassowary</a>, <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/6426/21957127">Bennet’s tree kangaroo</a>, and the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/16752/21955261">Cape York rock wallaby</a>, as well as the iconic <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/16892/166496779#threats">koala</a>. It is also estimated that, in NSW, between<a href="https://www.wwf.org.au/ArticleDocuments/353/AnimalWelfareImpacts_Summary_March19.pdf.aspx"> 4.9-10 million</a> native wild animals are killed in the process of tree-clearing each year.
Koalas are currently classified as<a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/16892/166496779#threats"> vulnerable</a> with the key threat being continued habitat destruction, fragmentation, and modification, as the forests they live in are being rapidly cleared. Small populations of koalas in isolated sections of habitat are at the greatest risk of extinction. 
The <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/wildlife-corridors-koalas-australia">reforestation project in NSW </a>that the Australian Ecologi subscribers can support was established to try to protect the local koala population in the Northern rivers of NSW. The main goal is to establish a wildlife corridor by planting 50,000 trees to allow koalas to move between habitat fragments and help their populations to bounce back.

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More than <a href="https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/articles/sustainable-forestry-in-appalachia">150 tree species</a> can be found in Appalachia, making it one of the most diverse ecological regions in North America. The Appalachians are home to more than <a href="https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/articles/sustainable-forestry-in-appalachia">200 globally rare plants and animals</a>, and more than <a href="https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/articles/sustainable-forestry-in-appalachia">15,000 documented wildlife species</a>, including the caribou, moose, black bear, wild boar, fox, and numerous small mammals, thrive there.
Appalachia’s forests are of particular importance as a breeding ground for migratory birds that spend the breeding season within this region, before flying south to overwinter in Mexico and Central and South America. These species include the Baltimore oriole, broad-winged hawk, red-eyed vireo, ruby-throated hummingbird, scarlet tanager, Tennessee warbler, and the cerulean warbler. 
However, the resource wealth of the region has meant that much of the forest has been deforested and degraded by mining and timber operations, with an estimated <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/na0403">83% </a>of the original habitat having been lost. Approximately <a href="https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/articles/sustainable-forestry-in-appalachia">80%</a> of the cerulean warbler population breeds within the Appalachian forests. This species is <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22721740/153691320">threatened </a>by the conversion of its forest habitat for agricultural or urban use and the fragmentation of habitat left behind. 
A <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/rewilding-the-appalachia-usa">planting project in Appalachia</a> that Ecologi subscribers can support is planting native tree species to help the entire ecosystem recover. This will help to preserve the unique biodiversity of the Appalachian region.

We couldn’t talk about deforestation without mentioning the Amazon rainforest. This is the world’s largest rainforest and river system, which contains nearly a third of all the tropical rainforests left on Earth. Despite covering only <a href="https://www.wwf.org.uk/where-we-work/amazon">1%</a> of the planet’s surface, the Amazon is home to <a href="https://www.wwf.org.uk/where-we-work/amazon">10%</a> of all known wildlife species, with many more being described each year.
However, as a result of the major pressures being exerted on the Amazon (large-scale agriculture and cattle ranching, small-scale agriculture, road and hydropower infrastructure, mining and logging), it is being deforested on a massive scale. <a href="https://rainforestrescueinternational.org/amazon-rainforest-now-how-much-of-it-is-left/">20%</a> has already been lost.
As well as releasing vast amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, this destruction and deforestation has numerous, complex impacts on the wildlife that lives within the forests. One example of an animal under threat from deforestation in the Amazon is the <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/black-spider-monkey">black spider monkey.</a> This is one of seven species of spider monkey found in Latin America, and it is one of the largest primates in South America. They play an essential role in the tropical rainforest ecosystem, aiding seed dispersal and thus helping the forest environment to continue to grow and thrive. However, these monkeys are threatened by the destruction of forests. They prefer mature tropical forests and seldom venture into disturbed habitats. This means that these monkeys are especially vulnerable to the effects of forest fragmentation.
Black spider monkeys don’t do so well in newly reforested areas, and that’s why some of the  projects Ecologi has supported (see <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/preserving-untouched-brazilian-rainforest">here</a>, <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/protecting-the-amazon-from-deforestation-in-brazil">here</a> and<a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/peruvian-protection-of-the-amazon"> here</a>) that protect existing rainforests in the Amazon are so important. These projects preventing deforestation in Brazil help to preserve the habitats of the black spider monkey and many other creatures.
In fact, one project is designed partly with a specific species in mind. This <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/protecting-the-amazon-from-deforestation-in-brazil">avoided deforestation project in Almeirim, Brazil</a>, has objectives to protect the critically endangered Black bearded Saki (Chiropotes satanas). This species has decreased by at least 80% in the last 30 years and this trend is predicted to continue. In a scenario without the project we are helping to fund, the population trend of this species within this area is decreasing and becoming more threatened, mainly due to the loss of habitat caused by deforestation. However, in the scenario with this project, it is predicted there will be <a href="https://registry.verra.org/mymodule/ProjectDoc/Project_ViewFile.asp?FileID=45326&amp;IDKEY=a0e98hfalksuf098fnsdalfkjfoijmn4309JLKJFjlaksjfla9062504554">improvements</a> in the trend of the population of Chiropotes satanas.

A note on deforestation and climate change 

Deforestation is also impacting the ability of species to adapt to future climate change. For millennia, wildlife around the world has moved up and down mountains, and towards and away from the equator in order to cope with changes in the world’s temperature. However, the deforestation of tropical forests is creating a patchwork landscape where natural habitat is fragmented. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-019-0529-2">Recent research</a> has found that most tropical forest habitat is currently too disconnected to provide pathways to cooler climates, meaning that wildlife will struggle to escape the impacts of climate change.

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The majority of the world’s wildlife relies on forests for their food, shelter, and nesting sites. Worldwide, species are being threatened as their homes are torn down at alarming rates to make way for agriculture and infrastructure. It’s really important that we do our best to combat deforestation, not only for our sake, but for the sake of the animals and plants that live there. There are lots of organisations that are doing great work in this field.

Speak to our team about how your business can support projects both protecting and restoring forests

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Ecologi acquires Net Zero Now

In a landmark move set to reshape corporate climate action, we’re excited to announce that Ecologi, the UK&#8217;s most trusted climate action platform, has acquired <a href="https://netzeronow.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Net Zero Now</a>, the sector-specific carbon measurement and reduction platform for businesses.
The combined entity operating under the Ecologi brand will create a single solution for industry climate leadership towards net zero. The integration combines sector-specific carbon measurement and reduction with world class verified climate projects that supports businesses wherever they are on their net zero journey.

<h2>The game-changing impact of this acquisition</h2>
The strategic acquisition solves two fundamental challenges in corporate climate action: businesses have been forced to choose between fragmented solutions and generic ‘one size fits all’ approaches that ignore crucial sector-specific needs. By combining Net Zero Now&#8217;s sector-specific protocol expertise with Ecologi&#8217;s platform funding top-tier climate projects, we&#8217;re creating a tailored and complete solution helping businesses lead their industries towards net zero.

Reduce emissions.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Measure Scope 1, 2 &amp; 3 emissions with sector-specific industry GHG protocols</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Set short term and long term reduction target emissions aligned to SBTi</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tailored reduction plans for sector-specific emissions pathways</li>
</ul>
Restore our planet.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Compensate for unavoidable emissions as you reduce them through 
funding verified, high-quality carbon avoidance and removal credits</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Contribute to global climate goals by funding climate Impact Funds for 
beyond value chain mitigation and/or as part of your products &amp; services</li>
</ul>
Report on progress.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Corporate sustainability standards e.g. CSRD, SECR, SBTi, CDP, B Corp</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sector specific standards e.g. Accountancy, Hospitality, Public Sector</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Custom climate impact reports and embeddable dashboards</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Communications toolkit for board and stakeholder engagement</li>
</ul>

Climate leadership starts here

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Neil Ross Russell, Managing Director of Net Zero Now, said:
<blockquote>Businesses want to take climate action, but they want to know they’re doing it right and what’s right for a restaurant business is not the same as what’s right for an accounting firm.  They need industry-specific guidance and clear pathways to climate leadership. By joining forces with Ecologi, we&#8217;re creating a platform that allows us to provide credible, simple and affordable, sector-specific, end-to-end climate solutions for businesses in our existing sectors and collaborate with industry partners on new sector-led solutions.</blockquote>

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The acquisition aligns with Ecologi&#8217;s mission to accelerate business climate action and grow our 24,000 strong customer base. Established sector protocols including hospitality and professional services will be the initial focus with plans to expand across additional industries throughout 2025.
With organisations under increasingly complex stakeholder and industry compliance demands for environmental accountability, this end-to-end solution also ensures streamlined reporting, monitoring progress, supply chain transparency, and voluntary disclosures. This transforms business leaders into climate leaders with the confidence to tackle their climate commitments head-on, communicating and meeting critical regulatory requirements like SECR, CSRD and SBTi.

<h2>More about Net Zero Now</h2>
Founded in 2021, Net Zero Now has developed a proprietary sector-led approach, which combines climate expertise alongside the sector knowledge and experience of relevant industry bodies, industry influencers and larger businesses to reach a consensus around what Net Zero means in practice for businesses in each sector. To date, the company has measured and validated 1.8 MtCO2e lifetime emissions supporting more than 50+ leading brands including Coca Cola Europacific Partners, L&#8217;Orèal, Heineken, Pernod Ricard, Subway, Hard Rock Cafe, Adnams, Edgbaston and James Cowper Kreston.

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4 hospitality companies leading the way on climate action

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have in the hospitality industry — it&#8217;s a business necessity. With increasing regulatory pressure, shifting customer expectations, and the growing impact of climate change, hospitality businesses are finding that taking action isn&#8217;t just about responsibility—it&#8217;s about resilience. This is particularly evident as 70% of Brits are now actively trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle (Nutritics, 2024), and 44% say sustainability is important in their choice of venue to visit (Morning Advertiser, 2023). From tackling food waste to cutting carbon emissions, the sector is facing both challenges and opportunities to drive meaningful change.
At the heart of this transformation is the food system. The hospitality industry relies on farming—a sector responsible for nearly 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions and one that is increasingly vulnerable to climate disruption. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather, and supply chain instability are already affecting food availability and costs, making sustainability not just an ethical priority but a commercial imperative. This is reflected in consumer behavior, with 47% of consumers wanting more information about carbon footprints on menus, and 41% saying this information would influence their order (CGA Strategy, 2023).
Fortunately, forward-thinking hospitality businesses are stepping up, driven by clear market demand—34% of UK pub and restaurant goers are prepared to spend more in venues with strong sustainability credentials, increasing to 47% for Gen Z and Millennials (Sustainability Beat, 2023). This generational shift is significant, with consumers aged 18-34 being nearly twice as likely to pay more for sustainability than those aged 55+ (WaterAid, 2023).
As the food and beverage industry awakens to its environmental responsibilities, and with climate change threatening to fundamentally disrupt global food security, restaurants and food service enterprises are stepping up to take meaningful climate action. These pioneering businesses are demonstrating how sustainability can enhance business performance while making a positive environmental impact, even as they navigate the unique challenges of being both a contributor to and victim of climate change.
Read about four hospitality companies that are championing climate action, and explore how they are turning environmental challenges into business opportunities.
Whether it&#8217;s engaging employees, measuring carbon footprints, or developing new sustainable service offerings, these venues are setting the standard for a greener future in hospitality.
<ol>
<li>Hawksmoor: Leading Sustainability in Fine Dining</li>
<li>Freemans Event Partners: Pioneering Sustainable Event Catering</li>
<li>Lisini Pub Co: Family Legacy Meets Sustainable Innovation</li>
<li>The Assemblies: Pioneering Sustainable Hospitality in Bristol</li>
</ol>

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<h2>Hawksmoor: leading sustainability in fine dining</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li> Achieved B Corp certification in September 2022</li>
<li>Comprehensive review of operational sustainability across all locations</li>
<li>Implementation of energy reduction initiatives</li>
<li>Enhanced waste management systems</li>
<li>Water conservation measures</li>
<li>Integration of sustainability into staff training programs</li>
</ul>
Hawksmoor&#8217;s journey exemplifies how restaurant groups can lead in sustainability within the hospitality sector. Their comprehensive approach includes setting ambitious net-zero targets for 2030 while focusing on immediate operational improvements. The restaurant group&#8217;s commitment is evidenced by their systematic review of day-to-day operations across their locations in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and New York. What sets them apart is their holistic approach to sustainability: examining energy usage, waste management, and water consumption while maintaining their reputation for quality dining. Their structured approach to employee engagement includes a two-day intensive induction program that emphasises sustainability, making it a core part of their culture.
Ellie Besley-Gould, Head of Purpose at Hawksmoor, said:
<blockquote>We&#8217;ve been heavily involved with the Sustainable Restaurant Association since about 12 years ago&#8230; It&#8217;s a really important area for us to be stepping up the work in, looking at how we can inspire change.</blockquote>

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<h2>Freemans Event Partners: pioneering sustainable event catering</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li>Achieved 38.4% reduction in emissions compared to projections</li>
<li>Implemented innovative &#8220;Zero Zone&#8221; testing area</li>
<li>Introduced shuttle buggies for reduced transport emissions</li>
<li>Deployed hybrid power generators</li>
<li>Established carbon menu labelling</li>
<li>Enhanced waste management through compostable solutions</li>
</ul>
Freemans Event Partners&#8217; journey demonstrates how large-scale event catering can embrace sustainability without compromising service quality. Their innovative approach at the British Grand Prix showcases their commitment to reducing environmental impact in high-pressure environments. The company&#8217;s dedication is evidenced by exceeding their initial 5% emissions reduction target and implementing a groundbreaking &#8220;Zero Zone&#8221; area for testing new sustainability initiatives. What sets them apart is their data-driven approach to sustainability: measuring and analysing emissions across all aspects of their operation, from food stalls to logistics and waste management.
Richard West, Sustainability Manager at Freemans Event Partners, said:
<blockquote>Through partnering we&#8217;ve realised that collaboration is key to making lasting and impactful environmental changes in the events catering industry. The process has been much more straightforward than we thought it would be and we look forward to setting even bigger reductions targets as we go forward.</blockquote>

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<h2>Lisini Pub Co: family legacy meets sustainable innovation</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li>Reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions by 48% through renewable electricity</li>
<li>Won the Flor de Cana Rum Sustainability Award</li>
<li>Achieved lowest electricity demand in 10 years</li>
<li>Implemented LED lighting and sensor systems</li>
<li>Launched biodiversity project at Dalziel Park</li>
<li>Developed sustainable kitchen practices and menu innovation</li>
<li>Created venue-specific green teams</li>
</ul>
Lisini Pub Co&#8217;s journey demonstrates how family-owned hospitality businesses can transform their environmental impact while preserving their heritage. Their comprehensive approach combines traditional Scottish hospitality with modern sustainability practices across their venues, including the historic Angels hotel in Uddingston. What sets them apart is their innovative approach to sustainability: implementing competitive green teams across venues, achieving dramatic emissions reductions, and maintaining their commitment to quality service. Their structured approach includes both operational improvements and employee engagement, making sustainability a core part of their 45-year family legacy.
Siobhan Edwards, Director Lisini Pub Group, said:
<blockquote>It&#8217;s not until we&#8217;ve been working in the last year that we&#8217;ve really truly understood our carbon footprint. It&#8217;s the right thing to do, it&#8217;s the right thing for our customers, for our planet, for the environment, and actually it saves us money at the same time.</blockquote>

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<h2>The Assemblies: Pioneering Sustainable Hospitality in Bristol</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li>Established 100-mile radius local sourcing policy</li>
<li>Implemented full venue LED lighting systems</li>
<li>Introduced reusable cups for music events</li>
<li>Developed nose-to-tail food waste reduction policy</li>
<li>Created vegetarian menu options to reduce emissions</li>
<li>Enhanced supplier partnerships for sustainability</li>
<li>Achieved an impressive 3-star rating in the Food Made Good Standard, scoring 92% overall and 91% specifically in environmental practices</li>
</ul>
The Assemblies&#8217; journey showcases how urban hospitality venues can lead in sustainability while building strong community connections. Since their inception in 2009, they&#8217;ve demonstrated that local sourcing and environmental responsibility can coexist with business success. What sets them apart is their data-driven approach to sustainability: analysing carbon ratings, implementing local sourcing policies, and creating innovative menu solutions. Their comprehensive strategy includes everything from sound system upgrades to waste reduction initiatives, making sustainability integral to their operation.
Anna Blightman, Brand Marketing Manager, said:
<blockquote>Something that our partnership has allowed us to do, is lay all the data out on the table so that we can actually look at it, and stand to analyse it and understand where we can make changes. If we don&#8217;t start now, when will we start?</blockquote>

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As these leading hospitality companies show, meaningful climate action can drive significant business benefits—from stronger customer and employee engagement to enhanced brand reputation and risk mitigation. By taking a thoughtful, transparent, and impactful approach, businesses can pave the way for a sustainable future.
Ready to take the lead in climate action? Book in a 30 minute discovery call with our Hospitality sector experts and find out more about partnering with Ecologi to measure your emissions, set reduction goals and fund high-quality climate action on the road to net-zero.

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4 accountancy firms leading the way on climate action

Accounting is part of the broader Professional Services industry, one of the largest sectors of employment in the UK. As of 2018 the sector accounted for 8.5% of UK employment combining full time and part time working; with an increase of 82,100 employees compared to the previous year. Within the professional services sector, almost all categories of employment increased within the same time period.
For decades, the professional services sector, particularly accounting, watched from the sidelines as global climate initiatives took shape &#8211; from the establishment of the IPCC in 1988 to the landmark Paris Climate Agreement in 2015. It wasn&#8217;t until recently that the industry began to wake up to its environmental responsibilities. A revealing 2019 Deloitte European CFO survey of 1,168 CFOs painted a stark picture: businesses largely lacked thorough climate risk understanding, had few governance mechanisms for climate strategies, and rarely aligned their emissions reduction targets with global climate agreements. 
However, the tide is turning dramatically, driven by a powerful wave of stakeholder pressure and a remarkable shift in investor sentiment. As the professional services sector awakens to its environmental responsibilities, and businesses with over 250 employees and £36m in revenue being required <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/does-your-business-need-to-disclose-its-carbon-emissions">by law</a> to report their emissions,  accountancy firms are stepping up to take meaningful climate action. These pioneering firms are demonstrating how sustainability can enhance business performance while making a positive environmental impact.
Read about four accountancy firms that are championing climate action, and explore how they are turning environmental challenges into business opportunities.
<ol>
<li><a href="#grunberg">Grunberg &amp; Co: Leading Innovation in Sustainable Accountancy</a></li>
<li><a href="#bishop-fleming">Bishop Fleming: Driving Employee Engagement Through Climate Action</a></li>
<li><a href="#duncan-toplis">Duncan &amp; Toplis: Rallying Teams Around Sustainability Goals</a></li>
<li><a href="#kreston-reeves">Kreston Reeves: Driving Growth by Pioneering Sustainable Advisory Services</a></li>
</ol>
Whether it&#8217;s engaging employees, measuring carbon footprints, or developing new service offerings, these firms are setting the standard for sustainability in accountancy.

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<h2>Grunberg &amp; Co: Leading innovation and gaining competitive advantage in sustainable accountancy</h2>
Key Improvements: 
• Achieved complete transition to paperless operations 
• Installed energy-efficient LED lighting throughout offices 
• Implemented renewable energy transition plan 
• Established clear net zero target for 2030 
• Created transparent carbon footprint reporting system
Grunberg &amp; Co stands out as a smaller practice making bold sustainability commitments, proving that size doesn&#8217;t limit environmental impact. Under Managing Partner Robert Bean&#8217;s leadership, they&#8217;ve implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy focusing on practical, achievable goals. Their transition to paperless operations and installation of energy-efficient LED lighting demonstrates how technological innovation can drive environmental improvements. What makes their approach particularly interesting is their market positioning &#8211; they&#8217;ve recognised that demonstrating carbon consciousness gives them a competitive edge in client acquisition. Their commitment to achieving net zero by 2030 is backed by concrete actions and transparent reporting through the Ecologi platform.
Robert Bean, Managing Partner, said:
<blockquote>The climate crisis is an important issue, not just for me, not just for our firm, but for the world&#8230; It shouldn&#8217;t just be about the big four; it should be about all firms taking small steps to get to net-zero. Once you get down to it, it&#8217;s much more simple than you think it&#8217;s going to be. So don&#8217;t be fearful of it, and just plunge in and go for it.</blockquote>

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<h2>Bishop Fleming: driving employee engagement through climate action</h2>
Key Improvements: 
• Established three-pillar sustainability framework 
• Implemented sustainable procurement policy with local suppliers 
• Reduced business travel through smart policies 
• Launched employee engagement initiatives including beach cleanups 
• Integrated sustainability into recruitment strategy, attracting 70 new apprentices annually
Bishop Fleming has distinguished itself by embedding sustainability into its core business strategy through their three pillars: Healthy Business, Healthy Communities, and Healthy Environment. Their approach is particularly noteworthy for its focus on talent attraction and retention &#8211; they&#8217;ve recognised that their annual intake of 70 new apprentices prioritizes employers with strong environmental credentials. The firm&#8217;s practical implementation combines high-level strategy with grassroots engagement: they&#8217;ve focused on sustainable sourcing from local suppliers, implemented smart business travel policies, and launched innovative employee engagement initiatives like beach cleanups with Surfers Against Sewage. Their climate action work has enabled them to measure their carbon footprint accurately and communicate progress effectively through internal webinars.
Ewan McClymont, Head of Responsible Business, said:
<blockquote>It is very clear that this generation of school leavers and graduates want to work for an organisation that is being proactive on sustainability and the environment. Our focus in this area has certainly helped in our recent re-accreditation as a Great Place to Work®.</blockquote>

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<h2>Duncan &amp; Toplis: rallying teams around sustainability goals</h2>
Key Improvements: 
• Generated 73,000+ units of renewable electricity through solar panels across four locations 
• Implemented comprehensive Green Initiative Policy across all offices 
• Created dedicated Sustainability Champion role with expansion plans 
• Delivered educational ESG webinar series for staff and clients 
• Set clear target to achieve net zero within 5-8 years
Duncan &amp; Toplis&#8217;s journey exemplifies how regional accountancy firms can lead in sustainability. Their comprehensive approach includes eight specific ESG targets integrated into their corporate strategy, from achieving net zero status to implementing sustainable stationery across all locations by December 2024. The firm&#8217;s commitment is evidenced by tangible actions &#8211; their solar panel installation across four offices has generated over 73,000 units of renewable electricity, demonstrating immediate environmental impact. Their Green Initiative Policy extends beyond energy to include green space transformation and waste minimization. What sets them apart is their structured approach to engagement: they&#8217;ve created a dedicated Sustainability Champion role and delivered a series of three webinars focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance aspects. Working with Net Zero Now, they&#8217;ve not only measured their carbon footprint but identified that utilities, transport, IT, and goods/services are their primary emission sources, allowing for targeted reduction strategies.
The Duncan &amp; Toplis Leadership Team, stated that:
<blockquote>The purpose of our firm is to positively impact people, our communities and the world around us. We believe that by calculating our carbon footprint and setting ambitious Net Zero targets, not only will we ensure that we are authentic, but it also helps us to create an organisation that is fit for the future.</blockquote>

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<h2>Kreston Reeves: driving growth by pioneering sustainable advisory services</h2>
Key Improvements: 
• Achieved B Corp certification in December 2022 
• Achieved carbon neutral status after calculating their carbon footprint with Ecologi in 2021 
• Established comprehensive ESG reporting framework 
• Created Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) leads 
• Launched Kreston Reeves Foundation for community impact 
• Implemented tree planting initiative for every client in 2024, achieving over 66k trees funded for planting 
Kreston Reeves demonstrates how accountancy firms can embed sustainability into their core business strategy while achieving significant growth. Their achievement of B Corp certification and commitment to continuous improvement showcases their comprehensive approach to environmental and social responsibility.
How Kreston Reeves drives sustainability: 
The firm has implemented a comprehensive ESG strategy that combines environmental action with social impact. Their approach focuses on measurable outcomes and transparent reporting, while maintaining their position as industry leaders in sustainable advisory services.

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<a href="https://www.krestonreeves.com/people/james-peach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Peach, Audit and Assurance Partner</a> and SDG 13 ‘Climate action’ lead commented: 
<blockquote>As a firm, we recognise the part we must play in acting against the climate crisis, which is why our dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal ‘Climate action’ is so important to us. We’re proud to see the positive, tangible impact these projects are having on the planet, and we’re excited to continue working with Ecologi to reach more milestones!</blockquote>

As these leading accountancy firms show, meaningful climate action can drive significant business benefits—from stronger customer and employee engagement to enhanced brand reputation and risk mitigation. By taking a thoughtful, transparent, and impactful approach, businesses can pave the way for a sustainable future through climate leadership.
Ready to take the lead in climate action? Book in a 30 minute discovery call with our Accountancy sector experts and find out more about partnering with Ecologi to measure your emissions, set reduction goals and fund high-quality climate action on the road to net-zero.

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