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GoCardless partnered with Carma and the Green Task Force, a subsidiary of the PATT Foundation, to tackle both environmental restoration and veteran employment. In 2022, GoCardless launched "Race to Nature," an initiative designed to engage employees in a sustainability challenge. The company committed to planting 3,000 trees if employees collectively ran, cycled, or walked 15,000 km. However, the team exceeded their target and planted 5,000 trees, contributing to the restoration of Garton Woods.
A key aspect of this initiative was the involvement of a local farmer who offered their land for afforestation, passionate about making a difference for the environment. GoCardless worked with Carma to ensure the trees planted were native species, enhancing biodiversity and helping sequester 100 tonnes of CO2 annually. Additionally, the collaboration provided employment for veterans through the Green Task Force, who played an active role in the tree planting process.
What made this project truly special was the hands-on involvement of GoCardless employees. Ben Knight, Head of Environmental Sustainability at GoCardless, emphasised how impactful it was to physically plant trees alongside veterans.
He noted that the project wasn’t just about carbon offsets but about building community, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring long-term environmental benefits. The company even installed a Nature Camera at the site, allowing staff to monitor the trees’ growth over time.
Reflecting on the initiative, Ben shared, "This was by far the best volunteering day I’ve ever seen. It gave people real purpose and created lasting positive memories for our team." He also emphasised the business value of such projects, highlighting that the co-benefits to nature, community, and employee well-being were invaluable. “It was definitely worth the investment,” he concluded, as GoCardless continues to integrate sustainability into its long-term strategy.
