A clean energy consultancy is practising what it preaches by pledging to plant one million trees by 2030 to offset carbon emissions.

U4L is one of the first to take part in the Million Tree Pledge.

So far 24 businesses have signed up for the scheme.

Each has also committed to find at least two other pledgers so that the movement grows exponentially.

A million trees will offset 308,000 tonnes of carbon over their lifetime.

That’s the equivalent of annual emissions from 66,984 typical passenger cars.

Through the Ecologi.com platform, pledgers – including U4L – will donate to the Eden Reforestation Project.

The charity reduces extreme poverty and restores healthy forests by employing local people, often women, to plant millions of trees every year.

Their sites are in eight countries, including Madagascar, Indonesia and Mozambique, and have been chosen to maximise the positive impact on nature.

Since 2004 almost 500m trees have been planted, creating 4,850,313 workdays for people in extreme poverty.

Bournemouth-based U4L was founded in 2016 and specialises in helping businesses switch to clean energy and reduce their energy usage.

It also supplies energy generation technologies such as solar panels.

The seven-strong consultancy, which also has an office in Southampton, now looks after 2,700 businesses across the UK including 300+ in the Bournemouth area.

Its portfolio includes hotel groups, restaurant chains, nursing homes and schools as well as independently owned small businesses.

To date, U4L says it has saved customers £39.6m and planted over 19,000 trees.

The energy consultancy is also helping one of Dorset’s best-known charities to go greener.

As reported on Dorset Biz News, it has switched three of Lewis-Manning Hospice’s retail shops – as well as its hospice building – to 100 per cent renewable energy.

As part of its net zero carbon pledge, U4L has planted 125 trees in the charity’s name across reforestation projects in Mozambique and Madagascar.

It is also offering a donation of £250 for every successful introduction made via Lewis-Manning Hospice Care which leads to a new client switching to clean energy with U4L.

Commenting on the Million Tree Pledge, Nick Till, U4L’s Founder and Managing Director, said: “It’s my firm belief that it’s the responsibility of business owners to take an active part in stopping climate change.

“That’s why we maintain a carbon positive workforce and support our clients to do the same.

“It’s an enormous task, but collectively we can all do something.

“The Million Tree Pledge is a fantastic initiative that no doubt will make a real positive difference to the future of the planet.

“I’m excited to be a part of it and to be in such great company”

Karin Moestam, U4L’s Brand and Sustainability Manager, pictured right, said there were four key stages to helping businesses reduce their CO2 impact and move to net zero:

• Switch to 100 per cent renewable energy using its proactive procurement system.
• Analyse current energy use, calculate CO2 impact and offset carbon through reforestation and climate projects.
• Reduce business energy usage with tailored efficiency solutions.
• Source solar panels to help businesses generate clean energy on-site.

She added: “Focusing on the environment is not just good for the planet but also for business.

“The Million Tree Pledge is a big undertaking but by also bringing our customers on board we think it’s more than achievable.”

• u4luk.com