Today, London-based techUK is launching the National Nature Fund, combining efforts with Ecologi in creating a trusted approach through which the UK tech sector can support nature restoration across the country.
The Fund is being launched with the ambition of raising nearly $7.5 million (£5.6 million) per year with the aim of protecting and restoring 30% of land and sea in the UK by 2030. This amount is the equivalent to 0.1% of the country’s annual funding requirement.
Through this initiative, techUK and its members want to provide businesses of all sizes with the opportunity to start or scale their nature journey, enabling them to invest in a nature-positive future.
Established as a technology trade association, to date, techUK has attracted over 1,100 members on its mission of exploring the positive potential and possible benefits that digital technology can deliver.
Active across the UK, the nonprofit brings together people, companies and organisations, creating a valuable network for innovation and collaboration.
Through the National Nature Fund, members of the techUK ecosystem can access a portfolio of pre-vetted nature projects operational in the UK. The selected projects are provided by Ecologi, and they offer streamlined and reliable access to high-integrity nature solutions.
Every project in the portfolio is independently assessed with Ecologi’s Nature Project Assessment Framework, which ensures robust due diligence and confidence in environmental outcomes. The fund announcement also highlights that all projects are aligned to the Government’s 30×30 targets.
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“At techUK, we believe the tech sector has a vital role to play in restoring and protecting the UK’s natural environment,” said Craig Melson, Associate Director of Climate, Environment and Sustainability.
He continued, “The Fund is the beginning of a journey that will enable collective action for businesses that want to give, providing them with a simple, credible way to be part of the change. This is about the whole tech sector moving forward together, and we can’t wait to see what we can achieve.”
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