.png)
Sumthing, the go-to platform for nature restoration, and Cambridge University’s Conservation and Development Lab (Conservation Research Institute) are partnering up to bring more transparency, accountability, and effectiveness to corporate-led restoration efforts and speed up restoration worldwide.
Corporate pledges to restore nature are everywhere—billions of trees, thousands of corals, and endless mangroves. But a recent Cambridge University study highlighted a major issue: there’s often little evidence of real results.
“Ultimately, if big businesses are going to contribute effectively to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, there needs to be transparency and consistency in reporting. This is in the interest of the businesses themselves, who stand to gain from demonstrating to their customers, shareholders, employees and the wider public that they are making meaningful impacts with their declared restoration efforts” - Rachael Garrett, Moran Professor of Conservation & Development
The study stresses that restoring damaged environments is essential for hitting global sustainable development goals, and corporate-led initiatives should play a huge role. But for these efforts to count, they need to be backed by solid proof of creating benefits across the board.
“When a business says it has planted thousands of trees to restore habitat and soak up carbon – how do we know if this has been delivered, if the trees will survive, and if it has resulted in a functioning ecosystem that benefits biodiversity and people?.” - Tim Lamont, Marine Biologist
That’s where Sumthing steps in. Sumthing closes the visibility gap by ensuring funding goes to projects with proven outcomes, using cutting-edge tech like smartphones, drones, and satellites to track restoration in real-time. Nature restoration is something you can literally see—barren landscapes transforming into forests, coral fragments growing into reefs, and plastic soup rivers turning clear. Sumthing’s platform lets donors track every stage of the projects they support, so they know their money is making a real impact. And when donors can see where their money is going, donations have been shown to jump by up to 300%.
"We're convinced that transparency—that is, the possibility to see donations being used appropriately—fosters trust and commitment from donors. By creating a direct and visual link between projects and donors, we hope to encourage donors to participate more in supporting initiatives that have a real impact on restoring our planet."
—Mike Odenhoven, CEO Sumthing
This landmark partnership aims to supercharge restoration efforts by studying what works, and figuring out how (corporate) donors can contribute most effectively. Key areas of focus include:
Cambridge University is known worldwide for its research and leadership in transforming economies for the benefit of people, nature, and climate. Sumthing, a certified B-Corp rooted in steward ownership, is the leading platform for nature restoration. Together, Sumthing and Cambridge University will help companies make sure their restoration efforts aren’t just well-intentioned, but measurable, impactful, and beneficial for biodiversity, the environment, and local communities. The ultimate goal? Empowering businesses to play a meaningful role in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and create a future where restoration is not just promised, but proven.
Contacts:
Sumthing - Mike Odenhoven, CEO
Cambridge University - Rachael Garrett, Moran Professor of Conservation and Development
.png)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
%201%20(4).jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg)
.png)
