Blog

blog_carbonbudget_header

Blog_CarbonBudget_Header

What is the carbon budget?

In lots of climate literature and discussion you&#8217;ll see reference to the carbon budget. But what actually is it? And, what does it have to do with you? In this article, we&#8217;ll unpack the concept of the carbon budget, discuss why it’s important, and explain how this budget has the ability to affect your daily life.

Budgeting is a handy tool used by many, to ensure we are on track and can sustain our livelihoods. Whether or not you use a budget, their overall premise remains the same &#8211; an accurate budget can be used for projections to help us make decisions about our present and future behaviour based on what we know about our current situation. 
Just like individuals, the earth’s system has its own carbon budget &#8211; a budget that gives us insight into the atmosphere’s threshold for carbon emissions over a period of time.
Exceeding this threshold would result in global temperatures <a href="https://climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-thermometer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increasing to dangerous levels</a>. This budget therefore enables us to change action to ensure that we meet favourable projected scenarios and effectively remain within this budget to sustain ourselves. Although the carbon budget applies globally, not all countries and industries are adhering to it &#8211; some don’t like the idea of budgeting at all, and <a href="https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/37004/EGR21_ZNZ.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">others are not really taking it seriously</a>. 
Almost every country in the world has ratified the <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/climate-emergency/2-minute-brief-what-is-the-paris-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paris Agreement</a>, which compels governments to set nationally-determined targets targeted at limiting global warming to well below 2°C, or as close to 1.5°C as possible, compared to pre-industrial levels. These targets were established by the <a href="https://unfccc.int/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change</a> on the basis of projections of future climate impacts associated with different amounts of global warming. These projections inform the threshold of the volume of greenhouse gases (measured in carbon dioxide equivalent) which can be emitted into the atmosphere &#8211; or in other words, our carbon budget.  
The <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C</a> (2018), which specifically deals with impacts of 1.5°C warming versus other scenarios, gives a clear warning message that the less warming we have, the less we are exposed to the unpredictable and severe impacts of climate change. To achieve this aim, the Report found that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would have to halve by 2030 and drop to net zero by 2050. It’s an ambitious aim, considering the amount of current emissions in the atmosphere and our reliance on fossil fuels, but it is certainly possible. It requires governments, industries, and households to collectively and continually reduce emissions and ultimately change behaviour.  
One of the mechanisms which has started working to give effect to the findings of the Special Report is the <a href="https://sciencebasedtargets.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Science-Based Targets Initiative</a> (SBTi). The SBTi helps businesses align their behaviour with a 1.5ºC future by providing clearly-defined pathways for companies to reduce their GHG emissions. Pathway targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The SBTi is one of the leading initiatives that enables the private sector to ensure a reduction of their GHG emissions and to set a net-zero target in line with a 1.5°C future.

blog_carbonbudget_banner_01

Blog_CarbonBudget_Banner_01

What does the carbon budget mean for individuals?

Carbon budgets continue to be a popular approach to frame the challenge of keeping global warming to ‘acceptable’ levels because it gives us <a href="http://tool.globalcalculator.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">something tangible to visualise and work with</a>. We need the climate budget to inform our decision-making and behaviour at a governmental, industry, and household level &#8211; otherwise we have no concept of what informs our actions to reduce emissions. 
The carbon budget also has the ability to demonstrate the effect of inaction, as it utilises climate projections to determine future scenarios. The idea of what a 2ºC or 3°C  temperature increase would look like <a href="https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/impacts-climate-change-one-point-five-degrees-two-degrees/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">paints a dismal picture</a>, and in many ways, keeps us on track to avoid projected disaster scenarios. <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The IPCC Working Group 3’s contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report</a>, published in April 2022, states that there is still time to limit the global temperature increase below 1.5°C. However, scientists warn that the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/window-for-climate-action-closing-fast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">window of opportunity is rapidly closing</a> and the situation is getting more urgent. At the launch of the Report, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said it was a “file of shame, cataloguing the empty pledges that put us firmly on track towards an unlivable world”. According to the <a href="https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emissions Gap Report 2021</a>, which provides an overview of the difference between where GHG emissions are predicted to be in 2030 and where they should be to avert the worst impacts of climate change, the emissions gap still remains large. Compared to previous unconditional NDCs, collective new pledges for 2030 reduce projected emissions by only 7.5% &#8211; whereas a 30% reduction is needed for 2°C (and 55% reduction for 1.5°C). As a whole, <a href="https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/36991/EGR21_ESEN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">countries are falling short of meeting their new or updated NDCs</a> and announced pledges with current policies.
However, the carbon budget shouldn’t induce fear, it should inspire behaviour change. There is a misconception that if we exceed our carbon budget, we are unequivocally doomed. Imagery and advertising of a ‘climate apocalypse’ with a countdown clock springs to mind &#8211; let’s be clear that exceeding our carbon budget does not directly translate to the end of the world. However, the world it would result in would be increasingly unlivable as time goes on as warmer temperatures will bring worse impacts that threaten lives, livelihoods, and economies.

blog_carbonbudget_banner_02

Blog_CarbonBudget_Banner_02

Should the world’s carbon budget affect everyday decisions?

Absolutely. 
The carbon budget can be interpreted as a broad framework under which a huge amount of climate-related decisions are made. We make decisions every day that ultimately have an effect on our climate, whether we are aware of them or not. At a global level, countries who are signatories to the Paris Agreement have an obligation to limit their carbon emissions, and can do so by setting their own carbon budgets to ensure they remain on track with their commitments. 
These global carbon budgets can be further divided into national emissions budgets where countries set their own climate mitigation goals, such as the UK, who are <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carbon-budgets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the first country to set their own legally binding carbon budget. </a>Governments are urged to go beyond their current Paris Agreement commitments, which if left unchanged, would result in an expected<a href="https://www.unep.org/interactive/emissions-gap-report/2019/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> temperature rise to 3.2°C this century.</a> Collective decision-making will impact the speed at which we will approach the carbon budget’s threshold, which is why ensuring that future decisions, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2022/may/11/fossil-fuel-carbon-bombs-climate-breakdown-oil-gas#Code-red" target="_blank" rel="noopener">specifically in the energy sector</a>, are made with the carbon budget in mind is absolutely key.

blog_carbonbudget_banner_03

Blog_CarbonBudget_Banner_03

While the idea of sticking within the parameters of our carbon budget might feel like a complicated ask at the household and individual level, it’s ironically anything but complicated. The best thing you can do to ensure we stay within our carbon budget is actually quite simple &#8211; limit your greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible in your daily life. 
Support businesses that align with the goal of a decarbonised future. It may seem like an indirect link but where and how you use your money has a tremendous impact on emission reductions. Some simple ways to ensure your money is put to good use on a daily basis includes <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/environmental-activism-your-first-steps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">investing your money in ethical pension funds and banking with organisations</a> that ensure your money is not supporting the fossil-fuel industry. 
The solutions to the climate crisis already exist, it’s just about ensuring that our actions align with our intentions. Every fraction of a degree that our Earth’s temperature increases matters, so it’s no surprise that the small actions we take each day really add up. You can be part of the solution through a variety of ways; like <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/food-waste-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reducing food waste</a>, introducing <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49238749" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plant-based alternatives</a> into your diet, being more <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/3-steps-to-creating-an-energy-efficient-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mindful of energy efficiency</a> in your home, and opting for public transport as much as possible. Once you’ve reduced your <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/product/carbon-footprinting-at-ecologi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">carbon footprint</a> to as low as possible, it’s appropriate to offset remaining emissions. Ecologi offers a variety of <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reforestation and verified carbon offsetting projects</a> to enable you to take climate action, while supporting natural ecosystems and local communities through tree planting initiatives. 
While it’s imperative that we embed emission reduction activities into our daily lives, government buy-in on the road to decarbonisation is key. Collective action is a powerful thing, and <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/environmental-activism-your-first-steps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">environmental activism</a> in the climate space is one of the means in which we can ensure that our governments are paving the way for a sustainable future that does not exceed the carbon budget. <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/activism-how-the-drops-inside-the-ocean-are-breaking-down-the-dam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Advocate</a> for the future that is important to you and support political parties who share your vision of a decarbonised future. 
<a href="https://ecologi.com/plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sign up today to take real climate action with Ecologi</a>.

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>.

What is the carbon budget?