Nature-based solutions are increasingly being used by organisations to address carbon emissions. When applied carefully, they can play a meaningful role in a credible, reduction-led Net Zero strategy, particularly where unavoidable and residual emissions remain.
Carbon Sense was proud to work with Stephens Scown, a B Corp law firm in the South West, supporting its Net Zero ambitions and advising on how unavoidable and residual emissions could be addressed through a locally rooted nature-based solution delivered in partnership withPlant One.
Stephens Scown set an ambitious target to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by the end of 2025 and now publicly states that it has met that goal. As a certified B Corp, this commitment sits within a broader impact agenda that includes governance, client work, procurement, and community engagement across the South West.
The firm’s approach focused first on emissions reduction. Through measures such as refurbishing buildings to improve energy efficiency, Stephens Scown reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by approximately 71 percent before addressing remaining emissions.
“Our goal was to achieve Net Zero by the end of 2025, and we're pleased to announce that we have reached that ambitious target.
This year, we successfully reduced our carbon footprint by 26% thanks to refurbishing our buildings to make them more energy efficient, a Net Zero Hero campaign encouraging colleagues to reduce their energy use in areas that have the most impact, and the introduction of an electric pool car.
That has helped us to be in a place where we can offset the remaining Scope 1,2, and 3 emissions via two projects, forest restoration in Nicaragua, and viaPlant One in Cornwall.” - Stephens Scown
Carbon Sense consulted with Stephens Scown to support a clear understanding of what Net Zero means in practice. This included helping interpret emissions data, understand emissions scopes, and shape a realistic, reduction-first pathway.
We ensured that unavoidable emissions were clearly identified, that residual emissions were treated transparently, and that any use of nature-based solutions sat within a robust and defensible Net Zero framework.
This advisory role has also extended into wider regional conversations, with Carbon Sense appearing alongside Stephens Scown at Net Zero and Planet C themed events across the South West, contributing practical insight into credible approaches for businesses navigating Net Zero commitments.
Once residual emissions had been identified, CarbonSense worked together with Stephens Scown and Plant One, a Cornwall-based organisation focused on woodland restoration and landscape recovery.
Plant One’s approach is grounded in the idea that forests, rivers, and oceans are part of a single, interconnected living system. Rather than viewing tree planting in isolation, the organisation focuses on restoring entire catchments, recognising how nutrients, energy, biodiversity, and carbon flow between land and sea.
This systems-based perspective closely aligns with our own approach to sustainability, where carbon is addressed as part of wider environmental processes rather than as a standalone metric.
Plant One captures this thinking in a short film exploring the connection between forests, rivers, and oceans, and the role people can play in restoring these systems:
“I’m convinced there is absolutely nothing stopping us from restoring our planet. We have the opportunity to create a new story about why trees are among the most valuable and powerful solutions we should be focusing on.” – Plant One
More about Plant One’s work can be found here
This work demonstrates several principles that are becoming increasingly important for organisations using nature-based solutions as part of a Net Zero strategy:
• Reduction comes first, and nature-based solutions are used only for unavoidable and residual emissions.
• Local projects strengthen credibility, and supporting restoration within the region creates environmental and community value.
• Systems thinking improves outcomes, as recognising connections between land, water, and biodiversity supports more resilient solutions.
• Transparency builds trust, as clearly distinguishing between reduced and residual emissions avoids confusion or overstatement.
• Strong partnerships matter, and combining advisory expertise with trusted delivery partners reduces risk.
For Stephens Scown, this approach supports its B Corp commitments while reinforcing leadership on Net Zero in the South West.
While carbon accounting remains central, a blended package of verified credits, and nature-based solutions can deliver wider benefits when chosen carefully. Woodland restoration supports biodiversity, landscape resilience, and long-term environmental health, while also helping organisations connect climate action to place.
For professional services firms, this kind of blended approach aligns environmental responsibility with ESG commitments, client expectations, and long-term reputation, without relying on simplistic offsetting strategies.
Carbon Sense supports organisations to design credible, reduction-first Net Zero strategies. We help measure emissions accurately, prioritise reductions, and address unavoidable and residual emissions responsibly through carefully selected nature-based solutions.
Where appropriate, we also help organisations identify trusted local partners and projects that deliver genuine environmental value.
To discuss how nature-based solutions could form part of your Net Zero strategy, contact Carbon Sense
What are nature-based solutions in a Net Zero strategy?
Nature-based solutions use natural processes, such as woodland restoration, to help address unavoidable and residual emissions after meaningful reductions have been made.
Are tree planting projects suitable for addressing residual emissions?
They can be, provided projects are well designed, locally appropriate, and used as part of a wider reduction-led strategy rather than as a substitute for cutting emissions.
How should organisations talk about residual emissions responsibly?
By being clear about what has been reduced, what remains unavoidable, and how residual emissions are being addressed using transparent and credible methods.
Nature-based solutions are increasingly being used by organisations to address carbon emissions. When applied carefully, they can play a meaningful role in a credible, reduction-led Net Zero strategy, particularly where unavoidable and residual emissions remain.
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