Reflecting on our first year with 1% for the Planet

As we've now completed our financial year, it's the perfect time to reflect on our first full year as proud members of the 1% for the Planet movement, a global network of businesses committed to donating 1% of annual sales to vetted environmental organisations. When we announced our commitment back in January, we knew we were embarking on something meaningful, but experiencing it firsthand has been even more rewarding than we anticipated.

A year of environmental giving

Over the past twelve months, we've had the privilege of supporting twelve incredible environmental organisations. Our donations have supported a diverse range of causes across Scotland and beyond. Here in Scotland, we've backed the John Muir Trust, Trees for Life, Tweed Valley Trails Association, Seawilding, Balanced Horizon, Borders Forest Trust, Darroch Nurseries, Tarland Development Group, the Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, the Institute For Outdoor Learning, and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. We've also supported the Cleanwave Foundation in Mallorca, where one of our team members is based.

Each organisation is doing vital work to protect and enhance our natural world, and we're delighted to have played a small part in their missions.

Supporting organisations close to home

As an East Lothian-based business, we're particularly proud to support organisations working right here in our local area. Balanced Horizon, based in East Lothian, is doing wonderful work connecting people with nature and promoting wellbeing through outdoor experiences. Their approach resonates deeply with our belief that caring for the environment starts with helping people experience and appreciate it.

The John Muir Trust holds special significance for us too. Not only do they protect some of Scotland's most spectacular wild places, but they also manage the John Muir Way – a 134-mile coast-to-coast walking route that ends in Dunbar, the birthplace of John Muir himself. For those of us based in East Lothian, the John Muir Way is more than just a trail; it's a living connection to one of history's most influential conservationists and a reminder of the natural heritage on our doorstep.

Supporting these local organisations means we can see the impact of our donations in the landscapes we experience every day. It's one thing to support environmental causes in the abstract, but very different when seeing our contributions helping to protect and enhance the very places where we live and work.

Choosing causes that resonate with our team

One of the most important aspects of our approach to environmental giving is that everyone at Rohallion is actively involved in choosing the organisations we support. This isn't a decision made in isolation by management – it's a collective effort where each team member gets to champion causes that genuinely matter to them.

This collaborative approach means our donations reflect the diverse interests and passions of our team. The Cleanwave Foundation's work combating marine plastic pollution in the Mediterranean resonates deeply with our Mallorca-based colleague, whilst others have championed rewilding projects in the Highlands or pollinator conservation across the UK. Supporting organisations that are local to our team members – wherever they're based – feels entirely consistent with our values.

Why these causes matter to us

Protecting the planet is deeply personal to all of us at Rohallion. We're fortunate to live and work in places with stunning natural landscapes, and we see firsthand how crucial it is to look after these environments for future generations.

Marek Golebiewski, who came to Scotland from Poland in 2007, has been struck by the country's natural beauty since he arrived almost twenty years ago. As a father, he wants to make sure his young sons can fully enjoy both the flora and fauna that surround us for their entire lives. For him, taking care of the environment isn't just nice to have – it's vital.

The inspiration for our company name came from Rohallion Loch in Perthshire, so our connection to Scotland's natural environment runs deep. It's not just where most of us work; it's where we live, where we find inspiration, and where we want future generations to experience the same wonder we do today.

The power of local and tangible impact

One of the aspects we've loved most about this journey is the transparency that comes with 1% for the Planet membership. We can see exactly where our donations are going and understand the specific projects they're supporting. This tangible connection is something we can emotionally connect with, which makes the giving feel much more meaningful than our previous environmental commitments.

Whether it's supporting trail maintenance that helps people access the outdoors, funding research that protects marine life, contributing to reforestation efforts in the Highlands, or tackling plastic pollution in the Mediterranean, we can see the direct impact of our contributions.

This first year has also been about learning. Each organisation we've supported has taught us something new about environmental challenges and innovative approaches to addressing them. The Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit has opened our eyes to the threats facing marine mammals around our coasts. Trees for Life's rewilding efforts have shown us the power of landscape-scale conservation. The Institute For Outdoor Learning has reminded us that environmental protection isn't just about conserving habitats – it's about fostering the next generation of environmental stewards.

Being part of this movement has influenced our thinking beyond just financial donations too. As a fully remote agency, we've always had a relatively small carbon footprint, but 1% for the Planet has made us more conscious about other aspects of our environmental impact, from the technology we use to the suppliers we choose to work with.

Looking ahead to year two

Looking ahead to our next year as 1% for the Planet members, we're already excited about the opportunities ahead. The beauty of this model is that it scales with our business – as Rohallion continues to grow, so too will our environmental contributions.

We're also keen to use our platform to inspire other businesses to consider similar commitments. A member survey conducted by 1% for the Planet in 2023 found that 97% of business members said they'd highly recommend others to join. Now we've been through it ourselves, we totally get why.

For businesses joining 1% for the Planet offers a structured way to support environmental causes that matter to you whilst demonstrating a genuine commitment to sustainability. It's an investment that benefits not just the planet, but our local communities and landscapes too.

Why it matters more than ever

As we reflect on this year, it's impossible to ignore the growing urgency of environmental challenges. From climate change to biodiversity loss, the problems facing our planet require action from all sectors of society, including businesses like ours.

Since 2002, over 4,800 1% for the Planet business members have donated approximately £535 million to around 7,200 environmental organisations worldwide. That's a significant contribution, but there's still so much more to be done. That's why every new member, every additional donation, and every business that decides to prioritise environmental giving matters.

For us, this isn't about grand gestures or corporate PR. It's about doing our bit as a responsible business to protect the natural environments that inspire us every day. It's about ensuring that future generations can experience the same natural beauty that drew Marek to Scotland nearly two decades ago, that we can enjoy along East Lothian's stunning coastline, and that exists in the diverse places where our team lives and works.

A commitment that continues

As we complete our first full year as 1% for the Planet members, we're more committed than ever to this journey. The twelve organisations we've supported this year are doing incredible work, and we're proud to have contributed to their efforts.

But this is just the beginning. Environmental protection is a long-term commitment, and we're in it for the long haul. Whether it's through direct donations, volunteering our time, or using our platform to raise awareness about environmental causes, we'll continue to play our part in protecting the planet for future generations.

As a business named after a Scottish loch and based in a county with such rich natural heritage, it's simply the right thing to do.

Frequently asked questions

How do you choose which environmental organisations to support? Everyone at Rohallion is actively involved in choosing the organisations we support. We look for causes that genuinely resonate with individual team members, whether they're based locally in East Lothian, elsewhere in Scotland, or further afield. This ensures we back organisations doing meaningful work in places that matter to our team.

What exactly is 1% for the Planet? 1% for the Planet is a global network of businesses that donate 1% of their annual sales directly to vetted environmental partners. Since 2002, over 4,800 business members have donated approximately £535 million to around 7,200 environmental organisations worldwide.

Can other businesses join 1% for the Planet? Absolutely! Any business can apply to join 1% for the Planet. The organisation provides guidance and support to help businesses make meaningful environmental contributions. You can learn more about membership at their website.