Earth Day, first celebrated on April 22, 1970, is a pivotal moment in the modern environmental movement. Developed by Senator Gaylord Nelson after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, Earth Day was designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment.

It marked the beginning of a new era as millions of people across the United States rallied for a healthy, sustainable environment. The demonstrations led to significant legal changes, including the establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

Over the decades, Earth Day has grown into a global event recognized by nearly 200 countries, driving positive action for the planet’s health and fostering environmental stewardship. Earth Day serves not only as a day of celebration but also as a reminder of the continuous efforts required to ensure that future generations can enjoy a flourishing planet. In this blog, we explore the role of social investment in making a positive impact on the planet.

 

Case-study inspiration!

Nemi Teas: Brewing a Better Future

Nemi Teas is a London-based social enterprise that is dedicated to enhancing sustainability and creating job opportunities for refugees and economic migrants all through the power of ethically sourced tea. Nemi Teas operates on a strong eco-friendly system, using biodegradable tea bags and plastic-free packaging to ensure that their environmental footprint is as light as possible.

Nemi Teas also provide employment and fair wages to refugees, they help individuals build new lives, integrating social improvement with environmental care. This Earth Day, we celebrate Nemi Teas' contribution to a greener, more inclusive world.

Read their case study here or listen to their journey via our podcast down below.

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Farm Urban: Growing Green Innovations

Farm Urban is transforming city landscapes into vibrant, sustainable ecosystems. Based in Liverpool, they develop and implement urban farming projects as a means to inspire and promote eco-friendly projects. Farm Urban’s initiatives do more than just cultivate green spaces; they educate communities, particularly young people, on the importance of sustainable urban living.

This Earth Day, let's applaud Farm Urban's dedication to making a more sustainable and educated urban world.

Learn more about their organisation via this case study

 

Trees for Life: Sowing Seeds of Change in the Scottish Highlands

Trees for Life is a Scottish conservation charity dedicated to rewilding the Scottish Highlands. Their vision is of a revitalised wild forest in the Highlands of Scotland. By planting native trees and creating habitats.They also engage communities and volunteers in their conservation efforts, fostering a deep connection between people and the natural world.

This Earth Day, we celebrate Trees for Life for their commitment to restoring natural landscapes and cultivating a sustainable future.

Read the full case-study to learn more.

 

Ambition Community Energy: Powering Progress with Community Spirit

Ambition Community Energy stands as a beacon of sustainable development in Bristol, championing community-led renewable energy initiatives. This pioneering enterprise was created by the community, for the community, to harness wind power through the installation of a large-scale wind turbine. Their efforts not only generate clean, green energy but also reinvest profits back into local community projects helping towards environmental sustainability.

This Earth Day, we highlight their innovative approach to community power, which empowers residents and sets a standard for environmental care and social investment.

Learn more about Ambition community energy via the full case-study

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Check out our Case Study Mapper and filter the social issue by environment to view all of the case studies we have from organisations that have harnessed the power of social investment for the bettering of our environment. 

Have you got a social investment story to tell? We’d love to spotlight more examples of social investment in action in the London to support organisations that are currently exploring repayable finance. You can submit your experiences online here, alternatively email aconstable@goodfinance.org.uk to arrange content collection.

Interesting reads

Could social investment unlock the ‘green’ potential for community businesses?

Could social investment be the key to unleashing the green potential of community businesses? This insightful blog explores how targeted financial support can help local enterprises not only thrive but also implement sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the economy. By investing in community-driven initiatives, social finance provides the necessary resources for businesses to adopt green technologies, innovate ecological solutions, and lead the way in sustainable development.

To learn more about the potential unlocked by social investment for environmental initiatives read the full blog.

 

Building Back Greener: How Two Community Organisations Used Social Investment to Help The Planet

Learn how social investment can play a crucial role in helping the planet two inspiring stories of community organisations that used social investment to not only recover from challenges but also advance their environmental impact. Learn about the impactful changes they’ve achieved and the lessons we can all take from their journeys toward environmental care and resilience.

To read the full blog click here.

If that still hasn’t satisfied your appetite and eagerness to learn, we have an energy resilience hub that has more interesting information.

 

Further Resources

Visit our energy resilience hub here to accesses more information about environmental projects. 

Check out our Case Study Mapper and filter the social issue by environment to view all of the case studies we have from organisations that have harnessed the power of social investment for the bettering of our environment.  

Have you got a social investment story to tell? We’d love to spotlight more examples of social investment in action in the London to support organisations that are currently exploring repayable finance. You can submit your experiences online here, alternatively email aconstable@goodfinance.org.uk to arrange content collection. 

We hope you enjoyed your read, if you are wondering whether social investment would be a viable option for your organisation, check out our Is It Right For Us tool, which will provide the answers you're looking for in less than five-minutes, along with some suggestions for next steps. 

Our Outcomes Matrix is designed to help plan and measure your social impact. If you are looking for investment, funds or advisors our Fundmapper Tool lists over 100 potential investors, funds or advisors to help you find your perfect match.