Blog

Climate Emergency

deforestation_wildlife_blog-1

deforestation_wildlife_blog (1)

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 live, feed and breed within them.From the boreal forests in the far North to the famously biodiverse rainforests of the tropics, forests are thought to provide habitats 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 in terms of extinction 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 extinctions</a> across the world. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature23285">A recent 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 unique species exist in small geographic locations around the world.
There are a number of ways in which deforestation can impact the animals 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 the needs of wildlife. For example, it can include increased hunting and poaching of animals as they become more accessible to hunters; increased occurrence of roadkill and road traffic accidents; as well as 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. The fragmentation of their habitats has also resulted in increased human-wildlife conflict, and when these species encounter humans they are often killed or captured.
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?

artboard-1-copy-9

Artboard 1 copy 9

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 almost 32.6 million trees in Madagascan mangrove projects!

Mozambique – protection of elephant habitats

african_elephant_16x9

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 4.9 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.

jaguar_16x9

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-dalry-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.

koala_16x9

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.

cerulean_warbler_16x9

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 American 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.

artboard-1-copy-10

Artboard 1 copy 10

The majority of the world’s creatures rely on forests for their food, shelter, and nesting sites. Worldwide, animals 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. 
<a href="https://ecologi.com/plan">Sign up to Ecologi</a> to support projects both protecting existing forests and planting new ones!

blog_bbb_climate_commitments_survey_header

Blog_BBB_Climate_Commitments_Survey_Header

98% of SMEs see benefits to setting environmental targets

SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) make up 99% of the UK’s business population and contribute half of all business-driven carbon emissions in the UK. The untapped potential for climate action is huge! Even the smallest of actions could make a real difference when taken by thousands of SMEs acting together, whether it&#8217;s measuring emissions or switching to renewable energy.
But knowing where to start on the climate journey can be hard for SMEs, and creating a credible decarbonisation strategy takes time, knowledge, and resources. That’s why we launched our Climate Commitments Survey. 
We gathered insights from 1,000 UK SME owners and decision-makers to understand the challenges, opportunities and barriers they face in their journey to net-zero. The survey was carried out in January 2023 in conjunction with the <a href="https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/">British Business Bank</a>, who advised on survey design, and research analysis and Market research agency <a href="https://onepoll.com/">OnePoll</a>.
<h3>Read the full report </h3>
<div class="ecologi-video-full-width"><iframe src="https://cms-assets.offset.earth/app/uploads/20230328090053/Ecologi_BBB_Report_V6.pdf" width="960" height="900" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
 📁 Download the PDF report <a href="https://cms-assets.offset.earth/app/uploads/20230328090053/Ecologi_BBB_Report_V6.pdf">here</a>

blog_bbb_climate_commitments_survey_banner_01

Blog_BBB_Climate_Commitments_Survey_Banner_01

<h3>SMEs are ready to do their bit for our planet  </h3>
Our survey found that SMEs are committed to doing more to protect the planet, and ready to reap the business benefits of doing so. Of those that had set environmental targets, almost all (98%) had experienced some business benefits. These range from improved brand image (43%), attracting more eco-conscious customers (38%), increased productivity and innovation (37%) and employee loyalty (34%), with over a third (31%) seeing increased revenue. Over three quarters (77%) of business leaders also agreed that having an environmental strategy is good for business.

blog_bbb_climate_commitments_survey_banner_02

Blog_BBB_Climate_Commitments_Survey_Banner_02

<h3>SMEs have some key barriers to overcome on their climate journey </h3>
Despite the commitment to do more, and the acknowledgement that sustainability is good for business, financial constraints (39%), time (27%), and a lack of business return (24%) are the biggest barriers SMEs face in taking climate action. Barriers like these are even harder to overcome during an economic downturn, but reassuringly, despite 25% saying the tough economic conditions are having a negative impact on their environmental commitments, only 3% plan to decrease investment in them.

blog_bbb_climate_commitments_survey_banner_03

Blog_BBB_Climate_Commitments_Survey_Banner_03

<h3>SMEs have the desire to get to get to net-zero, but need a little help</h3>
There is a clear desire to get started on the path to net-zero, and clearly many more SMEs would take action if it was more straightforward and accessible. More than four in 10 (41%) of SMEs said they would like their business to have a net-zero strategy, but feel confused about how to get started. It’s also encouraging to see that 80% of SMEs have either measured their carbon footprint or plan to in the near future, and that 52% would calculate their carbon footprint if it was free and straightforward to do. 
The desire is clearly there. Now we need to make sure SMEs have the tools and support they need to start their net-zero journey, particularly with corporate sustainability commitments coming under increasing scrutiny and tighter regulation around the corner.

<h3>SMEs can lead the sustainable revolution</h3>
While challenges remain, our survey found plenty of reasons to be hopeful. It’s clear to take action on the climate crisis, we need to make sure that every SME, no matter how small, has access to affordable and easy-to-use tools and solutions. From measuring their carbon footprint, to setting targets and reducing emissions, all the way through to funding the best in climate action projects on the planet.
At Ecologi, we’ve designed a suite of products and services, custom-made to help SMEs on their journey to net-zero: 
<a href="https://ecologi.com/business/zero">Ecologi Zero® </a>&#8211; The free and easy-to-use carbon footprinting tool for small and medium sized enterprises.
<a href="https://ecologi.com/business/climate-positive-workforce">Climate Positive Workforce®</a> &#8211; A simple but impactful way to offset your team&#8217;s emissions while funding climate solutions and planting a company forest. 
<a href="https://ecologi.com/business/impact-shop">The Impact Shop</a> &#8211; Browse and fund the very best climate solutions at the click of a button through our pay-as-you-go store for positive climate impact. 
<a href="https://ecologi.com/business/integrations">Ecommerce and integration</a> &#8211; Plant a tree for every sale, product or new team member with our Shopify, Zapier and API integrations.
You can access the full data set <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSz3Pl5MG9hBGK4qc71FCE2iIHPF5aBbCERxhhXBDtuYsO7HBOwb51GWg_MlwF41Y7T419JxZpdk6aE/pubhtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>

blog_kenya_header

Blog_Kenya_Header

On the ground in Kenya with Eden Reforestation Projects

Nothing beats seeing our impact in real life. Since June 2021, we’ve been the sole funding partner of a project restoring a vast area of degraded forest in the hills of Western Kenya. It’s one of the largest projects we’ve supported to date, and in September 2022 we were lucky enough to visit the site, meet our tree planting partners from <a href="https://www.edenprojects.org/">Eden Reforestation Projects</a> face to face, and see all that amazing impact for ourselves.
<h3>A trusted partner </h3>
At Ecologi, we only work with reforestation partners who we trust to plant trees responsibly. So you can be sure that the money you contribute to these amazing projects will genuinely make a real difference in restoring forest ecosystems and supporting livelihoods.
We’ve now got <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/get-to-know-our-reforestation-partners">10 incredible reforestation partners</a>, who operate planting sites across 16 countries. It’s vital to us we partner with like-minded organisations who implement community-led projects that both enhance biodiversity and improve the lives of local people. So our partners go through a rigorous diligence process to check they’re the right fit. Once onboarded, we work closely with our partners to ensure that the projects we implement together are long-lasting and impactful. We cherish our relationships with our reforestation partners &#8211; after all, we couldn’t do this without them!

<h3>Our visit to Kenya </h3>
It’s hard to believe, but our trip to Kenya was the first time we’d visited an international planting site since we were founded in 2019. We wanted to go much sooner, but the complications and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that this was the first time we could make the trip safely. Still, better late than never, and the delays meant the team were absolutely raring to go when they set off to visit <a href="https://www.edenprojects.org/">Eden Reforestation Projects</a> in Kenya in September 2022. 
We set out to observe the project and see what was happening on the ground, and in doing so, evaluate its progress and success. It’s important to us we monitor and evaluate all the projects we support, to make sure that we’re funding the biggest impact possible in these beautiful ecosystems.

kenya-blog

KENYA BLOG

To put it simply, we were absolutely blown away by what we saw and experienced. The sheer magnitude of area encompassed by the Kass FM project, which is fully funded by Ecologi, along with the warmth and spirit of the planting and nursery staff upon our arrival, was truly unforgettable.
Having spent so long working remotely, moments like these make it all worthwhile. Over the trip, our team on the ground visited the Kass FM planting site, as well as two nurseries where seedlings for the project are grown &#8211; Nkoben and Tendwet.

blog_kenya_banner_01-2

Blog_Kenya_Banner_01 (2)

Importantly, we got to meet and engage with local staff members, discussing everything from planting techniques and species variety, to how working for Eden has quite literally changed their lives. Connecting in person allowed us to learn more about their monitoring and evaluation processes too, and ultimately strengthened our relationship with an incredible planting partner.   
But don’t just take our word for it, check out the video below to get a glimpse of the impact our community is funding.
<div class="ecologi-video-full-width"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zFzRYDsrZ_M" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>

Product

blog_tree_planting_explainer_header

Blog_Tree_Planting_Explainer_Header

Where are my trees?

When you fund tree planting through Ecologi, you’re supporting a range of incredible reforestation and ecosystem restoration projects. Ecologi’s method of distributing the donations we receive means the positive impact of our community is being felt all around the world. In this blog we’re going to shed some light on exactly how your money is spread across the projects we support, and why we’ve chosen to do it this way.
First things first, if you fund UK, US, or Australian trees, the projects linked with these trees on your profile are exactly where those trees will be (or, in the case of UK trees, have already been) planted. 
For all the other trees funded by the Ecologi community, we have a slightly different system. Due to the projects we support having varying costs associated with them (depending on geographic location, types of tree planted, price of land etc), we combine trees from all core* projects into one funding pot. When you buy a tree from this pot, you are randomly assigned one of these trees, and this is what appears on your profile.

blog_tree_planting_explainer_banner_01

Blog_Tree_Planting_Explainer_Banner_01

Ecologi’s method of distributing trees allows us to fund a range of different types of reforestation and ecosystem restoration projects. The benefits of spreading our funding across all these projects include:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">More affordable prices</li>
</ul>
We want everyone to be able to play their part in protecting our planet, regardless of their budget. Ecologi’s system for grouping trees from different projects into one funding pot means we’re able to offer a price per tree that is affordable for everyone. Together, we’re able to fund projects all over the world at a variety of price-points, meaning the positive impact of your money is felt in many more communities than it may otherwise have been. 
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Supporting projects and communities all over the world</li>
</ul>
There are so many wonderful reforestation and ecosystem restoration projects out there that bring unique sets of benefits to local people, biodiversity, and our planet. As a member of the Ecologi community, you are part of the solution for getting vital funding to all the projects that need and deserve it most. From mangrove projects in Madagascar providing important habitat for terrestrial and marine species and protecting communities from coastal flooding, to forest restoration projects in the high Andes providing water security for millions of people and helping to support vulnerable species such as Spectacled Bears and Andean Condors, your money goes a long way, in more ways than one!
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Less risk</li>
</ul>
Supporting a variety of projects means that trees funded by the Ecologi community are at less risk. While every project we fund goes through our rigorous risk assessment process, and we ensure that every necessary action is taken to protect the trees, when you’re working with nature there is always some risk. By spreading the trees we fund across many sites around the world we are helping to minimise the threat of natural hazards. For example, if we were only funding one project and a fire swept through the site, a large proportion of the trees we had funded would likely be damaged or killed. However, by spreading the trees we’re funding across many sites, we’re ensuring that, should such an event occur, it would only impact a small proportion of the trees funded by the Ecologi community.

blog_tree_planting_explainer_banner_02

Blog_Tree_Planting_Explainer_Banner_02

We have tried to make the trees in our community members’ profiles representative of the way in which the trees we’re funding are actually distributed around the world. 
While the process of allocating trees to profiles is randomised, trees from certain projects are more likely to be selected and allocated to your profile than others, simply because there are more of them in the pot. This is why you’ll see trees on your profile associated with one of the projects in Madagascar, Mozambique, and Kenya fairly often, but very occasionally you’ll spot one associated with smaller projects such as those in Peru, Morocco, or Senegal for example.
While the trees from different projects do vary in price, they are all planted and nurtured by wonderful organisations with whom we are proud to work. You can learn more about these organisations in our blog post <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/get-to-know-our-reforestation-partners">here</a>. No matter which trees are randomly assigned to your profile, you can be sure that they are part of fantastic initiatives that have been hand-selected by us for the amazing benefits they are bringing to local people, local wildlife, and our planet. 
So, when it comes to the breakdown of projects at the top of your profile, the numbers show the total number of trees from each project that have been allocated to your profile. When the trees on everyone’s profiles are combined, the number of trees assigned to each project will total the number of trees we, collectively, have actually funded in each project.
&nbsp;
*Our core tree planting projects are where the majority of the trees that we fund are planted, in countries including Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Peru, and Morocco. For a full list of our core planting sites and more information about the projects we support, please visit <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects">ecologi.com/projects</a>.

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

Impacts of deforestation on wildlife

Madagascar- lemurs and mangroves!

Mozambique – protection of elephant habitats

Nicaragua – spotlight on the jaguar

Scotland – wildlife is returning to the Dalry site

Australia – spotlight on the koala

The Appalachians - songbirds and more!

The Amazon rainforest

A note on deforestation and climate change

More posts

Climate Commitments Survey: 98% of SMEs see benefits to setting environmental targets

On the ground in Kenya with Eden Reforestation Projects

Where are my trees?

Start making a difference today

Fund the best climate solutions

About

Take action

Members

Resources

Follow us

© 2023 Ecologi

We send good things