In a significant step towards combating climate change and enhancing marine biodiversity, Deloitte Partners are collaborating with Climate Impact Partners, Project Seagrass, and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) to launch a pioneering program focused on the recovery of seagrass meadows across the UK. This initiative aims to address the critical issue of seagrass loss and unlock substantial long-term financing for the conservation and restoration of these vital underwater ecosystems.
Seagrass meadows are recognized as powerful natural solutions for carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and supporting diverse marine life. Despite their importance, these ecosystems are under threat, with nearly a third lost globally in the past century. This ambitious program seeks to overcome the financial and scientific barriers hindering large-scale seagrass restoration. It will fund essential research to map UK seagrass meadows, improve understanding of their carbon sequestration capabilities, pilot innovative restoration techniques, and engage local communities in conservation efforts.
This project is a cornerstone of Deloitte’s Beyond Value Chain Mitigation (BVCM) strategy, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to addressing climate change beyond its direct operational footprint. Deloitte partners are leveraging their skills, influence, and strategic investments to catalyze positive environmental and social impact across key areas such as the energy transition, circular economy, sustainable food systems, and nature restoration. The seagrass program exemplifies this commitment by supporting innovative, nature-based solutions outside of Deloitte’s immediate value chain.
Smruti Naik-Jones, Chief Sustainability Officer at Deloitte UK and North & South Europe, emphasized the urgency of global decarbonization: “Reaching net-zero requires a connected global economy approach. This remarkable seagrass program, developed with Climate Impact Partners, allows us to deepen our knowledge of these crucial marine ecosystems, fund vital research, and unlock seagrass as a powerful tool in the fight against the climate crisis.” Her statement underscores the proactive role Deloitte partners are taking in environmental stewardship.
Kirsty Schneeberger, Head of Product Innovation at Climate Impact Partners, lauded Deloitte’s leadership: “Deloitte is demonstrating true climate leadership through this program. Seagrass offers a unique opportunity to mitigate climate change while providing significant benefits for biodiversity and coastal communities. Seagrass meadows act as underwater carbon vaults, storing vast amounts of carbon for millennia if healthy and undisturbed. Large-scale, long-term financing is crucial to accelerate the restoration and protection of these underwater wonders.” This collaboration highlights how Deloitte partners are instrumental in driving impactful environmental initiatives through strategic partnerships and innovative programs.
