For over three decades, the Naturesave Trust, founded by Naturesave Insurance, has been a pioneering force in championing environmental sustainability and supporting grassroots initiatives nationwide. Launched in 1995 as the charitable arm of Naturesave Insurance, the Trust was established to address the urgent environmental challenges of our time and to try and offset the damage done by the fossil fuel industry. Through a model that combines insurance with philanthropy, the Trust has supported countless projects across the country, aimed at fostering sustainability, promoting renewable energy, and driving ecological innovation.
The Vision Behind the Naturesave Trust
The Naturesave Trust was born from a simple yet revolutionary idea: to integrate environmental responsibility into the insurance industry. While Naturesave Insurance provides eco-conscious and ethical insurance solutions for individuals and businesses, the Trust channels a portion of the company’s profits into grants for environmental projects and non-profits. This unique model ensures that customers contribute directly to building a more sustainable future. The Trust obtains 100% of its funds from the premiums generated by Naturesave Insurance.
The Trust is committed to addressing a broad range of environmental challenges, including tackling climate change, promoting renewable energy, protecting biodiversity, and encouraging sustainable living practices. By focusing on grassroots and community-led initiatives, the Trust has empowered small organisations, charities, and non-profits to drive meaningful change in their local areas.
Key Achievements Over 30 Years
Since its inception, the Naturesave Trust has funded hundreds of projects, investing over a million pounds into sustainability efforts. Its impact spans across multiple domains, each contributing to a healthier planet.
Renewable Energy and Community Power
The Trust has been a major supporter of renewable energy projects, particularly those that promote community-led initiatives. Over the years, it has funded the installation of solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric systems for community buildings, schools, and non-profits.
For instance, the Trust has funded solar PV systems for village halls and schools, reducing energy costs while encouraging the adoption of clean energy. These projects not only reduce carbon emissions but also educate communities on the benefits of renewable energy and inspire others to follow suit.
Biodiversity Conservation
Protecting biodiversity has been a cornerstone of the Naturesave Trust’s work. The organisation has supported numerous wildlife conservation initiatives, from habitat restoration projects to efforts to protect endangered species. Grants have gone toward creating wildflower meadows, reforesting degraded land, and preserving wetlands, which are crucial for mitigating climate change and supporting diverse ecosystems.
One notable project involved funding efforts to restore hedgerows in rural areas, providing essential habitats for birds, insects, and small mammals. These initiatives have had a ripple effect, strengthening ecosystems and benefiting local communities.
Among its many impactful initiatives, the ongoing project by Friends of the River Dart, which received one of the Trust’s biggest ever donations in 2024, stands out as a shining example of how targeted efforts can foster ecological restoration, protect biodiversity, and inspire communities to take action for a more sustainable future.
The River Dart, located in South Devon, is one of the UK’s most beautiful and ecologically significant waterways. However, like many rivers in the UK, the Dart has faced mounting environmental pressures, including pollution, habitat loss, and the impacts of climate change.
In response to these challenges, the Naturesave Trust stepped up to support Friends of the River Dart, an ambitious effort to restore and protect the river’s ecosystems. Funding from the Naturesave Trust has supported the creation of riparian buffer zones—strips of vegetation along the riverbanks that prevent erosion, filter pollutants, and provide habitat for wildlife. These zones play a vital role in improving the health of the river and its surrounding ecosystems.
The partnership with Friends of the River Dart exemplifies the Naturesave Trust’s philosophy of empowering grassroots initiatives to drive meaningful change. Its success highlights the importance of combining ecological restoration with community engagement, demonstrating that even small-scale projects can have a big impact.
By channelling profits from Naturesave Insurance into projects like this one, the Trust has set a powerful example of how organisations can align their operations with environmental values.
Sustainable Living and Education
Education has been another key focus area for the Naturesave Trust. It has funded programs that teach individuals and communities how to live sustainably, reduce waste, and adopt eco-friendly practices. From workshops on upcycling and composting to grants for communities to develop eco-gardens, the Trust has inspired countless individuals to take action.
Combatting Climate Change
As the urgency of climate change has grown, the Naturesave Trust has increasingly directed its resources toward innovative solutions. The Trust has funded projects aimed at reducing carbon footprints, such as community transport schemes that promote cycling and electric vehicles, as well as initiatives to retrofit older buildings for energy efficiency.
These efforts have not only reduced emissions but also demonstrated the practical benefits of sustainable technologies, encouraging their adoption on a wider scale.
Making Business Greener Campaign
Businesses and community groups can receive up to 4 hours of tailored advice and guidance to organisations seeking to reduce their environmental impact, improve energy efficiency, and adopt sustainable operations.
The Sustainability Consultations reflect Naturesave’s commitment to not only insuring businesses but also empowering them to play an active role in tackling climate change and promoting sustainability within their industries.
Empowering Grassroots Movements
One of the defining characteristics of the Naturesave Trust is its commitment to grassroots and community-led initiatives. Unlike larger funding bodies that may overlook smaller organisations, the Trust focuses on projects that often operate on limited budgets but deliver significant impact. By providing grants of up to £5,000, the Trust enables these organisations to implement their ideas and scale their efforts.
Over the years, this approach has empowered countless communities to take ownership of their environmental challenges and develop solutions tailored to their local contexts. Whether it’s funding a village hall to become carbon neutral or helping a local wildlife group restore a nature reserve, the Trust has been instrumental in turning ambitious visions into reality.
Planting trees
The Naturesave Trust’s tree-planting initiative is a key part of its commitment to combating climate change and restoring ecosystems. By funding the planting of thousands of trees across the UK, the Trust helps to sequester carbon, combat soil erosion, and provide vital habitats for wildlife. These projects often involve local communities, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship while creating greener spaces that benefit both people and nature. The tree-planting initiative complements the Trust’s broader mission by addressing climate challenges and enhancing biodiversity through nature-based solutions.
Adapting to a Changing World
As environmental challenges evolve and continue to grow, so too has the work of the Naturesave Trust. In recent years, the Trust has placed greater emphasis on projects addressing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. This includes supporting rewilding initiatives, promoting regenerative agriculture, and funding research into sustainable technologies.
Additionally, the Trust has remained steadfast in its mission to inspire systemic change. By demonstrating that businesses can operate in harmony with environmental principles, Naturesave Insurance and its Trust are setting a powerful example for other companies to follow.
How the trust works
The Trust has 3 funding windows per year with a set budget, these windows open in January, May. and September. Charities, community groups, businesses, and non-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £5,000. Each year, the Trust has a focus on different themes and has over the years supported areas such as energy, soil, food, sustainable fashion, clean water, and plastics. The themes encompass social, environmental and conservation projects. The January 2025 window is focusing on sustainable travel initiatives.
Certainly the Trust is now gaining greater visibility, with a 468% increase in grant applications seen in 2024. Last year in 2024, the Trust awarded £100,000 across 35 different projects.
The Way Forward
Looking ahead, the Naturesave Trust is poised to continue its vital work in driving sustainability and supporting non-profits. With the climate crisis accelerating, the need for innovative, community-led solutions has never been greater. The Trust’s model of integrating business with philanthropy offers a blueprint for how organisations can align their operations with the urgent need for environmental stewardship.
By supporting grassroots movements, promoting renewable energy, and protecting biodiversity, the Naturesave Trust is not only making a tangible impact today but also paving the way for a more sustainable future.
The Naturesave Trust remains committed to supporting initiatives that protect biodiversity, combat climate change, and inspire communities to take action. They are building more connections with their local community, creating a stronger local presence, and building networks.
This was boosted when Naturesave hosted a celebration of their 30th anniversary in 2024 and invited clients, Trust beneficiaries and business to celebrate.
The Naturesave Trust’s 30-year journey is a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and persistence. From funding renewable energy projects to protecting wildlife and empowering local communities, the Trust has proven that small, targeted actions can lead to big, transformative changes. As it celebrates three decades of achievements, the Naturesave Trust remains a shining example of how businesses and charities can work hand in hand to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
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