A parallel example is observed with service providers, where metrics guide the commitment to tree planting. Brighten, a notable case, exemplifies this by planting trees for every home loan settled. This metric-based approach aligns the environmental impact directly with the business’s core activities. By linking tree planting to specific measurable achievements, businesses can not only contribute to reforestation efforts but also flexibly adjust their commitment based on performance, ensuring a balanced and sustainable strategy that fosters both environmental and biodiversity benefits.

Brighten, a full-service non-bank lender in Australia, aims to reshape the lending landscape by offering innovative and effective solutions. They provide a diverse range of competitive loan products, including Full Doc, Alt Doc, and Construction loans, catering to Prime, Near Prime, Resident, and Non-Resident borrowers.  Since its inception, Brighten has consistently reshaped the landscape of non-bank lending in Australia. With a mission to provide effective and innovative lending solutions, the company has facilitated the dreams of countless home-buyers, offering a diverse range of competitive loan products to various borrower profiles.

Brighten’s journey toward becoming a Carbon Neutral partner in 2021 is an inspiring narrative deeply rooted in the values of good governance, social responsibility, and sustainability. Early on, Brighten became a member of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), showcasing its commitment to ethical practices and responsible investments—making it one of the pioneering non-bank lenders in this space.

A key aspect of Brighten’s commitment to social responsibility is the Real Giving Programme, a staff-led initiative channeling a portion of the company’s profits toward charitable causes. This program empowers Brighten’s staff to actively participate in deciding which organisations to support, fostering a culture of philanthropy within the company. Staff benefits, including extra leave for volunteer activities and a donation matching scheme, further emphasise the company’s dedication to making a positive impact.

The Journey Towards Sustainability

Brighten’s quest for sustainability led the company to explore ways to extend its impact beyond internal operations. The goal was to provide customers with an opportunity to join the journey toward a positive environmental contribution. This exploration led Brighten to Carbon Neutral’s Plant-a-Tree program — a decision that perfectly aligns with the company’s long-term commitment to environmental stewardship. What particularly resonated with Brighten was the assurance that all trees planted by Carbon Neutral are legally protected for 100 years.

The Brighten and Carbon Neutral Partnership

Through its partnership with Carbon Neutral, Brighten not only pledges to plant trees but actively promotes the Plant-a-Tree program on its platform. This collaboration goes beyond mere environmental initiatives; it underscores a shared vision of restoring biodiverse habitats and protecting Australia’s landscapes.

Brighten’s alliance with Carbon Neutral stands as a beacon of corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship. As we move forward together, we celebrate this partnership’s potential to make a lasting impact on Australia’s biodiversity and landscape. Brighten is not just reshaping non-bank lending — it’s contributing to a greener, more sustainable future for all.

In the fast-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, companies face an ever-growing threat of breaches and attacks. As an offensive security consultancy, Parabellum recognises the importance of staying ahead in the game, helping organisations navigate the intricate world of cyber risks. Celebrating a successful first year of operation, Parabellum is gearing up for an exciting 2024 with new plans and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

Riding the Waves of Responsibility

Parabellum’s journey toward becoming a more sustainable and responsible business is deeply rooted in the founders’ connection to the natural environment. Growing up in coastal Australia, the co-founders were immersed in a culture that valued and protected the environment. Inspired by their upbringing, Parabellum was established with a clear mission: to reduce the environmental impact of their operations, foster a culture of sustainability, and leave a positive legacy for future generations.

With one of the partners having studied Climate Law and Policy at university, the commitment to environmental responsibility is ingrained in the company’s DNA.

Partnering with Carbon Neutral for a Greener Future

By partnering with Carbon Neutral, Parabellum has taken significant steps to measure, track, and offset its carbon emissions. The consultancy has embraced sustainability by choosing eco-friendly suppliers, offsetting their total annual carbon footprint, and going completely paperless.

Partnering with organisations like ZOLO, Parabellum ensures responsible disposal of eWaste, contributing to a circular economy.

The decision to partner with Carbon Neutral was driven by the organisation’s reputation and commitment to sustainability. Recognising credible brands already aligned with Carbon Neutral, Parabellum found the initiatives, transparency, and accountability of Carbon Neutral appealing. A meeting with the Carbon Neutral team solidified the partnership, creating a synergy between two organisations dedicated to positive environmental impact.

Leading the Charge in the IT/Cyber Industry

Parabellum has set ambitious goals for the future, challenging themselves to be agents of change within the IT/Cyber industry. With a vision to normalise sustainable business practices, the consultancy aims to lead by example. By mobilising at an industry level, Parabellum believes in driving a meaningful and positive impact on the environment. The commitment to using sustainable suppliers and offsetting carbon emissions is a long-term pledge. Parabellum envisions maintaining momentum as they grow, continually improving environmental policies and supporting novel strategies for a thriving planet.

One remarkable example is Cardly, an online service that revolutionises the concept of greeting cards by enabling businesses and consumers to send heartfelt, handwritten cards directly from their computers or phones.

When Cardly first embarked on their journey, their goal was simple yet profound: to enhance the traditional greeting card in every possible way. This endeavour included minimising their environmental footprint by adopting a zero-waste model, reducing transportation emissions, and utilising eco-friendly materials.

What brings us immense joy at Carbon Neutral is that Cardly acknowledges their most impactful contribution lies in their participation in our plant-a-tree program. For every 100 cards sent through their platform, they plant five trees—a commendable effort!

Cardly are driven by an unwavering passion to foster more meaningful connections among people while simultaneously championing positive change. They integrate environmental considerations into every facet of their online greeting card business.

Cardly exemplifies a company that pays meticulous attention to detail in order to mitigate their own impact on the environment. They operate on a zero-waste principle, ensuring that cards are printed only upon the placement of orders. Additionally, cards are produced and dispatched from the nearest location to the recipient, resulting in faster delivery times and reduced fuel consumption. Moreover, Cardly exclusively utilises paper stocks that boast exceptional environmental credentials—each stock is either Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified or composed entirely of recycled materials.

Furthermore, the digital nature of online card services eliminates the need for physical storefronts and their associated energy consumption. Traditional brick-and-mortar stores require lighting, heating, air conditioning, and other energy-intensive systems. By opting for online platforms, the energy savings from avoiding these infrastructure requirements can be significant.

Overall, ordering cards through an online service that handles printing and posting on your behalf is often more environmentally friendly due to reduced waste, localized printing and delivery, eco-friendly material choices, and the elimination of energy consumption associated with physical stores. These factors collectively contribute to a lower carbon footprint and support sustainability efforts in combating climate change.

Recognising that some degree of environmental impact persists in their day-to-day operations, Cardly has made a commitment to further diminish their ecological footprint. They have engaged Carbon Neutral to plant trees on their behalf and on behalf of their customers, taking a more direct approach to address these issues. The numbers speak for themselves—Cardly’s investment equates to over 50 trees planted for every tree used in the production of their cards and envelopes.

Cardly exemplifies the kind of business that we at Carbon Neutral love to collaborate with. They not only recognise their operational influence on the planet but also proactively take steps to mitigate those impacts. Their unwavering dedication to doing the right thing is truly inspiring. We eagerly anticipate continuing to support them on their sustainability journey and wholeheartedly recommend them for your next special card-sending occasion!

Click here to read more about what Cardly are doing to improve the sustainability of their business.

Our Spotlight

Explore stories in the world of sustainability, carbon and climate change.

Falbala Returns to Eastern Maar: A Milestone in Land Justice and Carbon Farming

Carbon Neutral is proud to be working with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) on a landmark project at Falbala, a 252-hectare property at Beech Forest in the Otways. On 3…

The market’s rediscovery of plantation forestry ACCUs 

For most of its early development, plantation forestry ACCUs occupied a niche position in the Australian carbon market. Long crediting timeframes, FullCAM-based accounting and permanence obligations stretching to 100 years made them slower…

From football to footprint: the carbon cost of the 2026 World Cup

Businesses have had to answer for their emissions and take real steps to offset them since 2013, when the UK became the first country in the world to make carbon reporting mandatory for its largest…

Unpacking Australia’s Biodiversity Claims vs Reality

Australia recently submitted its Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, its first under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).   At first glance the report suggests that we’re a nation “on…

Carbon Neutral launches Australia’s largest environmental planting carbon project.

Great Woodlands Renewal project to restore 28,000 hectares and establish 16 million trees adjoining one of the world’s largest remaining temperate woodland ecosystems. Carbon Neutral has unveiled plans for what…

Carbon Neutral Announces New Chief Commercial Officer

Carbon Neutral is thrilled to announce the appointment of Su-Mei Sain as the organisation’s Chief Commercial Officer.  Since joining the company last year as Head of Investment Opportunities, Su-Mei has played a key role in progressing the organisation’s commercial…

Rethinking Australia’s Natural Wealth Through Carbon

Australia is a land of plenty. “Our land abounds in nature’s gifts of beauty, rich and rare,” as the national anthem tells us.  But as a nation, we’ve struggled to properly value those gifts, let alone keep…

The Quiet Shift Reshaping How Australia Protects Nature

When Carbon Neutral launched the Perenjori Hills Sanctuary last year, the timing coincided with the release of the WA Auditor General’s overview, a report that assessed if the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions…

What is Green Friday?

In 2022, Green Friday became Australia’s first sustainability-focused 4-day online shopping event, celebrating brands committed to sustainability, re-commerce, and the circular economy. In 2023, it has evolved into a year-round movement, featuring informative sustainability content, exclusive events, and curated newsletters.

Green Friday offers year-round brand pages, sustainability content, and a newsletter called “Green Friday, Buy Better,” providing access to sustainability-focused deals and educational content. More green events are on the horizon, ensuring sustainable choices are always at your fingertips.

Not all brands can join the Green Friday movement. The platform collaborates with brands dedicated to sustainability and transparency. Brands must complete a sustainability framework, and their answers are publicly accessible on their brand pages. This transparency empowers consumers to support brands that align with their values.

The initial idea for Green Friday sprouted from the ethos of its parent company, which is dedicated to disrupting consumerism and fostering sustainability. With the urgency of the climate crisis, the need for sustainable alternatives in the retail sector became paramount. Green Friday was born out of this necessity, aiming to redefine the way Australians shop by prioritising sustainability, re-commerce, and the circular economy.

Encouraging Mindful Shopping

Green Friday encourages shoppers to be mindful of their choices and invest time in understanding the brands behind the products they buy. This approach goes beyond just offering deals; it empowers consumers to make informed decisions based on their values. The platform provides brand pages and sustainability frameworks that offer insights into the environmental and ethical practices of participating businesses.

Supporting Environmental Consciousness

Green Friday operates as Australia’s only sustainability-focused online sales event. It showcases brands that are committed to making substantial strides towards a sustainable future for our planet. This unique approach sets Green Friday apart from traditional online retailers, emphasising eco-friendly options and ethical consumption.

The environmental impact of online shopping is undeniable. However, Green Friday aims to mitigate this impact by highlighting businesses that have adopted eco-friendly practices and by promoting products and services that align with sustainability goals. It serves as a platform to learn about innovative companies working to reduce the carbon footprint of e-commerce.

Green Friday maintains strict criteria for brands and products to ensure alignment with ethical standards and values. All offerings undergo a review process, and brands are required to adhere to guidelines that reflect their commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.

Success Stories and Positive Impacts

Green Friday has witnessed numerous success stories, from small businesses to major sustainability-focused brands. For instance, Pottery For The Planet experienced a remarkable 45% conversion rate during the World Environment Day event, while service-based brands like HUMII forged over 100 new relationships with Green Friday businesses, benefiting from detailed Green Score Reports.

The vision for Green Friday extends beyond the annual event. The ultimate goal is to transform the internet into a year-round sustainable marketplace. The platform aims to educate, inspire, and promote sustainable choices throughout the year, making environmental responsibility a continuous commitment.

The event also recognises the importance of accessible online shopping. To balance convenience with environmental responsibility, it advocates for mindful choices. Through brand pages, sustainability frameworks, and events, Green Friday empowers consumers to shop for great deals while remaining conscious of their impact on the planet.

Giving Back to the Planet

Green Friday not only talks the talk but walks the walk. It partners with organisations pioneering sustainable retail initiatives, including Good360, 1% for the Planet, and not least ourselves, here at Carbon Neutral, supporting projects that benefit both people and the planet.

If you’re a brand or retailer on a sustainability journey, Green Friday invites you to join the movement in 2023. By aligning your products or services with sustainability, you can become part of the solution and showcase your commitment to a greener future.

Green Friday isn’t just a shopping event; it’s a movement to redefine the way we consume and promote a sustainable, eco-conscious future. By prioritising brands and products that align with environmental and ethical values, Green Friday empowers consumers to make responsible choices while enjoying great deals.

As we embark on this journey toward a more sustainable online shopping experience, Green Friday leads the way, inspiring change, and making sustainability accessible year-round. Join the movement, and together, we can create a better future for our planet.

Since 2021, Green Friday has planted 800 trees through our Plant-a-Tree program to improve biodiversity in degraded farmland.

Green Friday

Green Friday

Join the Eco-Conscious Consumer Community.
By signing up to the Green Friday, Buy Better newsletter, you will gain access to tonnes of sustainability-focused deals and content.

Next Event
27th October – 3rd November

Shop Today

Our Spotlight

Explore stories in the world of sustainability, carbon and climate change.

Falbala Returns to Eastern Maar: A Milestone in Land Justice and Carbon Farming

Carbon Neutral is proud to be working with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) on a landmark project at Falbala, a 252-hectare property at Beech Forest in the Otways. On 3…

The market’s rediscovery of plantation forestry ACCUs 

For most of its early development, plantation forestry ACCUs occupied a niche position in the Australian carbon market. Long crediting timeframes, FullCAM-based accounting and permanence obligations stretching to 100 years made them slower…

From football to footprint: the carbon cost of the 2026 World Cup

Businesses have had to answer for their emissions and take real steps to offset them since 2013, when the UK became the first country in the world to make carbon reporting mandatory for its largest…

Unpacking Australia’s Biodiversity Claims vs Reality

Australia recently submitted its Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, its first under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).   At first glance the report suggests that we’re a nation “on…

Carbon Neutral launches Australia’s largest environmental planting carbon project.

Great Woodlands Renewal project to restore 28,000 hectares and establish 16 million trees adjoining one of the world’s largest remaining temperate woodland ecosystems. Carbon Neutral has unveiled plans for what…

Carbon Neutral Announces New Chief Commercial Officer

Carbon Neutral is thrilled to announce the appointment of Su-Mei Sain as the organisation’s Chief Commercial Officer.  Since joining the company last year as Head of Investment Opportunities, Su-Mei has played a key role in progressing the organisation’s commercial…

Rethinking Australia’s Natural Wealth Through Carbon

Australia is a land of plenty. “Our land abounds in nature’s gifts of beauty, rich and rare,” as the national anthem tells us.  But as a nation, we’ve struggled to properly value those gifts, let alone keep…

The Quiet Shift Reshaping How Australia Protects Nature

When Carbon Neutral launched the Perenjori Hills Sanctuary last year, the timing coincided with the release of the WA Auditor General’s overview, a report that assessed if the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions…

At Carbon Neutral, we are proud to collaborate with organisations that share our vision of a sustainable future. One such partnership that fills us with gratitude is our association with Ulleo, an innovative online education platform committed to shaping the minds of future leaders and fostering a deep respect for the environment. Together, we are taking significant strides towards mitigating climate change, enhancing biodiversity in Australia, and instilling a sense of responsibility among learners.

Ulleo’s Commitment to Sustainability

From its inception, Ulleo recognised the opportunity to infuse sustainability into every aspect of its operations. Unburdened by conventional business practices, Ulleo approached its mission with a fresh perspective, determined to embed sustainability in its DNA. This commitment, combined with its role in the education sector, naturally led Ulleo to prioritise the integration of sustainable themes across its courses. Regardless of the subject or industry, Ulleo aims to cultivate a positive and inclusive mindset among its students. This purpose-driven approach is evident in its status as a profit-with-purpose enterprise, with sustainability woven seamlessly into its business priorities and targets.

Planting Seeds of Change: Ulleo’s Partnership with Carbon Neutral

Ulleo’s dedication to sustainability is exemplified through its collaboration with Carbon Neutral and our tree-planting initiative. By participating in this honourable effort, Ulleo embraces a role as part of the solution for current and future generations. The act of planting trees is more than an environmental action; it becomes a lens through which Ulleo frames its business objectives. Growth and student progress blend with the act of nurturing nature, inspiring the Ulleo team.

Educating for a Greener Tomorrow

As an educational entity, Ulleo recognises its pivotal role in deepening society’s understanding of climate change complexities. Sustainability threads are seamlessly integrated into Ulleo’s courses, fostering not just knowledge but also a profound connection to the environment. Specific sustainability-focused programs and courses, such as the Sustainability Fundamentals program, ensure that students grasp the intricacies of environmental issues, empowering them to become informed advocates for change.

Choosing Carbon Neutral: A Perfect Match

When Ulleo embarked on its mission to recognise and celebrate student achievements through tree planting, they carefully evaluated potential partners. Our shared values and mission made Carbon Neutral an obvious choice. With criteria like cost, digital execution support, and cultural alignment, our commitment to sustainability mirrored Ulleo’s vision. We share their belief that our planet’s future is a collective endeavour, and our partnership exemplifies this shared journey.

Setting Targets, Driving Change

Ulleo’s sustainability commitments go beyond mere words; they are backed by tangible targets. The company is well on its way to becoming a carbon-neutral business by the end of 2024, a testament to its dedication to minimising its environmental impact. Additionally, their ambitious goal of planting over 250,000 trees on behalf of their students by 2030 showcases a long-term commitment to reforestation and a healthier planet. In conclusion, the partnership between Carbon Neutral and Ulleo exemplifies the transformative power of collaboration. As we work together to create a sustainable future, we celebrate Ulleo’s proactive approach to education and their dedication to cultivating environmentally conscious leaders. Through our tree-planting initiatives, we are not only adding to the green cover of Australia but also fostering a sense of stewardship that will resonate with generations to come. Ulleo’s commitment to sustainability isn’t just a choice; it’s a commitment to building a better, greener world.

Our Spotlight

Explore stories in the world of sustainability, carbon and climate change.

Falbala Returns to Eastern Maar: A Milestone in Land Justice and Carbon Farming

Carbon Neutral is proud to be working with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) on a landmark project at Falbala, a 252-hectare property at Beech Forest in the Otways. On 3…

The market’s rediscovery of plantation forestry ACCUs 

For most of its early development, plantation forestry ACCUs occupied a niche position in the Australian carbon market. Long crediting timeframes, FullCAM-based accounting and permanence obligations stretching to 100 years made them slower…

From football to footprint: the carbon cost of the 2026 World Cup

Businesses have had to answer for their emissions and take real steps to offset them since 2013, when the UK became the first country in the world to make carbon reporting mandatory for its largest…

Unpacking Australia’s Biodiversity Claims vs Reality

Australia recently submitted its Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, its first under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).   At first glance the report suggests that we’re a nation “on…

Carbon Neutral launches Australia’s largest environmental planting carbon project.

Great Woodlands Renewal project to restore 28,000 hectares and establish 16 million trees adjoining one of the world’s largest remaining temperate woodland ecosystems. Carbon Neutral has unveiled plans for what…

Carbon Neutral Announces New Chief Commercial Officer

Carbon Neutral is thrilled to announce the appointment of Su-Mei Sain as the organisation’s Chief Commercial Officer.  Since joining the company last year as Head of Investment Opportunities, Su-Mei has played a key role in progressing the organisation’s commercial…

Rethinking Australia’s Natural Wealth Through Carbon

Australia is a land of plenty. “Our land abounds in nature’s gifts of beauty, rich and rare,” as the national anthem tells us.  But as a nation, we’ve struggled to properly value those gifts, let alone keep…

The Quiet Shift Reshaping How Australia Protects Nature

When Carbon Neutral launched the Perenjori Hills Sanctuary last year, the timing coincided with the release of the WA Auditor General’s overview, a report that assessed if the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions…

Over the last two years, Carbon Neutral has broadened its scope of operations to optimise the positive effects it can facilitate in addressing the global climate crisis alongside its partners and collaborators.

We are thrilled to announce a substantial partnership between Carbon Neutral and the globally renowned charity, Save the Children. In recent years, Save the Children has collaborated with specialists from Natural Carbon to develop an initial carbon fairness standard. This newly established partnership will see Carbon Neutral and Save the Children continuing to implement the standard for carbon projects initiated by their associated communities, as well as those initiated by others.

Initially over a period of five years, Carbon Neutral will be providing a range of new services to Save The Children including carbon footprint measurement and carbon project development. The alliance between Carbon Neutral and Save the Children will extend the carbon fairness standard to projects cultivated with Indigenous communities. The partnership will also take on the responsibilities of Natural Carbon in assisting their global partner communities in accessing carbon markets.

Carbon Neutral CEO, Dr Phil Ireland said “Being an impact-driven organisation, Carbon Neutral couldn’t be more excited about this partnership. This is an exceptional opportunity with significant potential to enhance our operations and contribute even further to a positive impact on both climate change and Indigenous communities. This endeavour will enable Carbon Neutral to collaborate closely with Indigenous carbon project partners, ensuring robust support from a provider aligned with shared values throughout and beyond this transitional phase”.

Carbon Neutral wishes to express gratitude to Natural Carbon for establishing a model that acts as a launchpad for magnifying positive effects in the forthcoming years. The organisation eagerly anticipates accomplishing even more positive outcomes for the planet, Indigenous communities, and global biodiversity over the next five years and beyond.

Click here to download a Media Release.

The club has purchased more than 1,800 tonnes of carbon offsets to cover all flights by the players and club staff during the tour of Thailand and Australia.

The players and staff are hugely excited by the opportunity to meet and entertain fans in each of the destinations as the club embarks on its first full pre-season tour since 2019. However, Manchester United recognises the impact of international travel on climate change and is working with Carbon Neutral, to offset emission from all of its tour flights.

Carbon offsets purchased by the club will be drawn from the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor, which is situated in the northern wheat-belt of Western Australia and is one of only 36 global biodiversity hotspots.

Biodiversity hotspots are recognised as areas in which plants, animals, and ecosystems are at extreme risk of destruction. These hotspots also have an exceptionally high number of plant and animal species unique to their regions and collectively account for 90 per cent of all species on Earth.

The trees and shrubs planted in the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor are part of the first project in Australia to be certified by the internationally recognised Gold Standard Organisation – a global best practice benchmark for emission reduction projects.

Collette Roche, Manchester United Chief Operating Officer, said: “While we are delighted to be back on tour, visiting our passionate global fanbase and preparing for the new season ahead, we are also pleased to be able to mitigate the environmental impact of our travel by investing in crucial biodiversity projects.

“We must all take responsibility for the impact we have on our planet and as a football club with millions of fans globally we recognise that this is an important issue that we must take seriously and address.”

The carbon offset commitment adds to a range of measures taken by Manchester United to limit its environmental impact. The club has achieved 13 consecutive years of reduction in its carbon emissions and is ranked in the top five most sustainable football clubs in the Premier League1. The club was also the first UK sports organisation to achieve the Carbon Trust Standard certification for commitment to carbon reduction.

Since 1974 Active Tree Services’ purpose has been keeping our communities safe and green, and its embodied this vision in all they do.

Active Tree Services is Australia’s leading vegetation management company with diverse capabilities in managing trees around power, gas, water, council and civil infrastructure, ensuring the safety and reliability of those assets. It also prides itself on technological innovation in operational safety and productivity, creating digital tools, methods, and equipment that are leading the field globally. Developed over 45 years with a culture of driving continuous improvement across all facets of the business, it has vast experience and knowledge in managing and protecting vegetation in our communities.

Founded by the Willocks family as a small business, Active Tree Services has grown to an Australian-wide organisation with a workforce of more than 800.

In 2020, Active Green Services was founded as an environmental, ecological, and arboricultural consulting  businesses to promote urban greening, tree preservation, environmental and ecological awareness, and sustainability. Launched under the Active banner to leverage the knowledge and resources of its sister company, it has already grown to be one of the leading arboriculture consulting businesses in Australia.

The Active Group’s passion for environmental stewardship is also underlined by its commitment to take responsibility for its carbon footprint, and since 2019 they have been an independently certified carbon neutral organisation.

“Our people have a genuine empathy for nature; it’s the underlying theme of our business. Despite the fact that pruning trees is our core service, we care innately about the environment and want to save and promote it. Our purpose is to be truly Safe and Green.”

Simon Strauss, Chief Growth Officer, Active Tree Services

The business case

Part of Active’s purpose means it is driven to achieve a more sustainable future. To demonstrate this commitment, it knew it had to ‘walk the talk’.

As an organisation that manages vegetation and interacts with ecosystems across Australia every day, taking responsibility for their environmental impact was an obvious step to take that could highlight their values as a business and stand out in the industry.

“One of the things I learned when I came to Active three years ago is that the vast majority of people absolutely love the outdoors here, and you have to because working in vegetation management means you’re literally out in the open through rain, hail, shine and sometimes snow.”

Simon Strauss, Chief Growth Officer, Active Tree Services

Active is (to our knowledge) the only carbon neutral vegetation management organisation in the world, giving sending a powerful message to current and prospective clients as well as existing and prospective employees.

Committing to climate action also reflects its embrace of innovation and initiative, believing that it is simply the right thing to do, and that now is the right time to do so.

The process

Active’s journey to carbon neutrality began in 2019 with Carbon Neutral completing a carbon footprint report for FY2019 as a baseline measurement from which to build targets and implement emission reduction measures. This initial assessment is the crucial first step for an organisation wishing to reduce its environmental impact.

The biggest contributors to Active’s greenhouse gas emissions were its fuel usage (Active has a fleet of over 700 vehicle assets), waste to landfill, and business services. The following year, Active reduced its carbon footprint by 342 tonnes by, amongst a range of projects, installing solar panels at three of its facilities and participating in the PrintReleaf program to reduce the footprint of its office paper.

Active chose to fully offset its FY2020 footprint of 8,926 tonnes by retiring and equal amount carbon credits in Carbon Neutral’s Gold Standard-certified Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor (Australian Native Reforestation PER), and a wind power renewable energy project in India that reduces emissions by replacing fossil fuel sources. By supporting the Corridor project, Active are making a significant contribution to restoring biodiversity on degraded land, providing vital habitat for native wildlife and a host of other co-benefits.

In FY2021, Active slashed over 1,000 tonnes from its baseline footprint – a 14% decrease in emissions. These reductions were largely driven by upgrades to its vehicle fleet, driver training, and improved monitoring. Active again fully offset its carbon footprint and has also developed a partnering opportunity for its clients to offer carbon neutrality for contracted project works with Active.

Beyond Active’s carbon neutrality achievement, it also pursues a suite of other sustainability measures that demonstrate an organisation going above and beyond the bottom line:

• Supporting charitable endeavours such as Avenues of Honour
• Pioneering electric chain saws, hedgers, bikes, and hybrid vehicles in commercial applications
• Creating habitats in the form of living trees and trees with hollows, stag trees, and fallen logs for fauna such as ringtail possums, bats and birds
• Creating tree-friendly urban environments that increase canopy cover and boost urban greening
• Planting trees for local councils (commercially)

Bushfire mitigation is also a key objective of Active’s work, through managing vegetation around powerlines. The assessment, establishment, and maintenance of these programs helps to reduce risk to personal safety, and public and private property. Bushfires can also be a huge source of greenhouse emissions, so preventing human-caused fires is also important in this regard.

The rewards

By putting sustainability at the front and centre of what Active do, it has gained respect, trust, and appeal to the organisations it works with, the members of its Australian-wide family and the broader community from which it draws new members for its team.

Internally, Active has also established an Act Green team that coordinate projects to give back to the communities it works in. Activities have included participation in Clean Up Australia Day, recycling vegetation into mulch and recycling from its trucks and offices.

Active is a great example of an organisation choosing to step up on climate when it matters most – now.