Not all tree projects are created equal: Our guide to help you spot the difference.

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<p>When it comes to carbon credits, not all tree projects are created equal. At Ecologi we support three different types of tree-based projects: tree-planting, prevented deforestation, and Afforestation, Reforestation &amp; Revegetation (ARR) projects.</p>
<p>In this short guide we’ll explore the different tree-based projects we fund, and their roles in protecting our planet and carbon offsetting.</p>


<h2><strong>An overview of the different tree-based projects we support</strong></h2>
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(ESP) Producción de Polylepis (ING)

<h2><strong>Projects planting new trees</strong></h2>
<h3><b>Type of trees</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tree-planting projects are associated with young trees.</span></p>
<h3><b>Example project</b></h3>
<p><a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/restoring-andean-forests-in-peru" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Restoring native Polylepis forests in the high Andes.</span></a></p>
<h3><b>Role in carbon offsetting</b></h3>
<p><b>Planting new trees does not generate carbon credits.</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why? Because the amount of carbon being sequestered by these trees isn’t being measured. Instead, average rates of carbon sequestration are used to estimate the amount of carbon that a tree will lock away over its lifetime. But this assumes that trees absorb a set amount of CO2 each year which isn’t the case, and that all trees planted will reach maturity, which is very rarely true.</span></p>
<h3><b>Certification</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tree-planting projects are not certified. However at Ecologi we rigorously select our reforestation partners to ensure that the tree-planting projects are high-integrity.</span></p>
<h3><b>Role in net-zero</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tree-planting can be funded as part of the net-zero journey (also known as </span><a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/go-above-and-beyond-during-your-net-zero-journey-explaining-beyond-value-chain-mitigation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beyond Value Chain Mitigation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), alongside prioritising business emission reductions.</span></p>


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<h2><strong>Projects preventing deforestation of old-growth forests</strong></h2>
<h3>Type of trees</h3>
<p>Prevented deforestation projects are associated with mature forests.</p>
<h3>Example project</h3>
<p><a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/conserving-the-amazon-in-brazil" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conserving the Amazon in Brazil.</a></p>
<h3><strong>Role in carbon offsetting</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Prevented deforestation projects can generate carbon avoidance credits.</strong></p>
<p>Why? Because protecting trees that are actively in danger of being cut down prevents the carbon that is locked away in those trees from being released into the atmosphere. The amount of carbon locked away in the trees and surrounding soils is measured to accurately calculate the amount of CO2 that would have been released without the existence of the project that prevented deforestation.</p>
<h3><strong>Certification</strong></h3>
<p>Prevented deforestation projects are certified by the Verified Carbon Standard.</p>
<h3><strong>Role in net-zero</strong></h3>
<p>Prevented deforestation projects can be funded as part of the net-zero journey (also known as <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/go-above-and-beyond-during-your-net-zero-journey-explaining-beyond-value-chain-mitigation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beyond Value Chain Mitigation</a>), alongside prioritising business emission reductions.</p>


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<h2><strong>Projects sequestering carbon through Afforestation, Reforestation &amp; Revegetation (ARR)</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Type of trees</strong></h3>
<p>Afforestation, Reforestation &amp; Revegetation (ARR) projects are associated with mature forests.</p>
<h3><strong>Example project</strong></h3>
<p>Verified Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) projects.</p>
<h3>Role in carbon offsetting</h3>
<p><strong>ARR projects do generate carbon removal credits.</strong></p>
<p>Why: Trees planted in ARR carbon removal projects are monitored to accurately measure the amount of CO2 that they have removed from the atmosphere.</p>
<h3>Certification</h3>
<p>ARR projects are certified by the Gold Standard or the Verified Carbon Standard.</p>
<h3>Role in net-zero</h3>
<p>ARR projects can be funded as part of the net-zero journey (also known as <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/go-above-and-beyond-during-your-net-zero-journey-explaining-beyond-value-chain-mitigation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beyond Value Chain Mitigation</a>), alongside prioritising business emission reductions. Carbon removal projects also count as nature-based carbon sequestration.</p>


<h2><strong>Is your business ready to take climate action?</strong></h2>
<p>Whilst calculating and reducing your business emissions is the most important step on the journey to net-zero, we would always advocate for funding high-quality climate projects in addition to making these reductions.</p>
<p>If this article has inspired your business to start its climate journey, then you can complete the form below to schedule a call with our team.</p>


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Hopescrolling: The good news timeline

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s not all bad. While there’s a lot of negative news about the climate, let’s not forget the good stuff. Find climate wins, reasons to be hopeful and plenty of positivity in our good news timeline.</span></p>


The good news timeline

Ready to make a difference for our planet? Get in touch, and let’s chat about how we can help you on your climate journey. 

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Ecologi acquires Net Zero Now

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>


<h2><b>The game-changing impact of this acquisition</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>


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


Climate leadership starts here

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<p>Neil Ross Russell, Managing Director of Net Zero Now, said:</p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p></blockquote>


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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>


<h2><b>More about Net Zero Now</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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 MtCO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">e 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.</span></p>


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4 hospitality companies leading the way on climate action

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Su</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">stainability 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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Read about four hospitality companies that are championing climate action, and explore how they are turning environmental challenges into business opportunities.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<ol>
<li><b>Hawksmoor: Leading Sustainability in Fine Dining</b></li>
<li><b>Freemans Event Partners: Pioneering Sustainable Event Catering</b></li>
<li><b>Lisini Pub Co: Family Legacy Meets Sustainable Innovation</b></li>
<li><b>The Assemblies: Pioneering Sustainable Hospitality in Bristol</b></li>
</ol>


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<h2><b>Hawksmoor: leading sustainability in fine dining</b></h2>
<p><strong>Key Improvements:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Achieved B Corp certification in September 2022</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Comprehensive review of operational sustainability across all locations</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Implementation of energy reduction initiatives</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enhanced waste management systems</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Water conservation measures</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Integration of sustainability into staff training programs</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ellie Besley-Gould, Head of Purpose at Hawksmoor, said:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p></blockquote>


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<h2><strong>Freemans Event Partners: pioneering sustainable event catering</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Key Improvements:</strong></p>
<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>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Richard West, Sustainability Manager at Freemans Event Partners, said:</p>
<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote>


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<h2>Lisini Pub Co: family legacy meets sustainable innovation</h2>
<p><strong>Key Improvements:</strong></p>
<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>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Siobhan Edwards, Director Lisini Pub Group, said:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p></blockquote>


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<h2><strong>The Assemblies: Pioneering Sustainable Hospitality in Bristol</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Key Improvements:</strong></p>
<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>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Anna Blightman, Brand Marketing Manager, said:</p>
<blockquote><p>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?</p></blockquote>


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<p>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.</p>
<p><strong>Ready to take the lead in climate action?</strong> 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.</p>


Not all tree projects are created equal: Our guide to help you spot the difference

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Ecologi acquires Net Zero Now

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