TLT launches high-integrity offsetting partnership with Belmont Estate following 93% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions

National law firm TLT has achieved a transformative 93% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 (market-based) greenhouse gas emissions compared to its FY2019 baseline, surpassing its near-term Science Based Target initiative (SBTi)-verified goal ahead of schedule.

This milestone complements the launch of a high-integrity carbon offsetting partnership with Belmont Estate, marking a new phase in TLT’s sustainability strategy focused on nature-based carbon removals and long-term sustainability.

These achievements reflect TLT’s commitment to operational decarbonisation and sustainability leadership, achieved through a combination of strategic office moves such as the relocation to Eden in Manchester and Cadworks in Glasgow, energy efficiency measures, and a shift to 100% renewable electricity across all offices.

With 93% of operational emissions eliminated, TLT is now addressing the remaining 7% through a two-strand carbon offsetting strategy developed in partnership with Belmont Estate. While the projects included in the strategy may evolve over time, the approach balances immediate action with long-term investment including:

• Delivering immediate carbon offsets through the Trees for Global Benefits project in Uganda. This community-led initiative, accredited by the Plan Vivo Standard and recognised by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), sequesters carbon via sustainable land-use practices and provides verified removals that TLT is applying to its Scope 1 and 2 emissions from FY 2025 onwards. Belmont Estate has supported TLT with project identification and due diligence to ensure the integrity and permanence of the removals.  
• Delivering long-term investment in future carbon removals via peatland restoration at Belmont Estate’s Scottish site, Aberarder. This generates Pending Issuance Units (PIUs), which represent carbon that will be sequestered over a decade. Once verified, these units will be used to offset future Scope 3 emissions, supporting TLT’s sustainability strategy. Activities include rewetting drained areas and reintroducing native vegetation to capture carbon and enhance ecosystem health.

TLT’s long-standing partnership with Belmont Estate is rooted in shared values around climate action, nature recovery, and community engagement, including:

• Regular volunteering days enabling TLT colleagues to contribute to restoration projects
• Immersive, nature-based experiences for client and team events
• Supporting Belmont’s free nature connection programme, providing schools, universities, and community groups access to rewilded landscapes.

The partnership drives 425,000m² of nature recovery annually, enabling rewilding, rewetting, and biodiversity enhancement across degraded landscapes.

Maria Connolly, Partner and Head of Future Energy and Real Estate, and Executive Board Sponsor for TLT’s sustainability strategy said:

“Surpassing our Scope 1 & 2 near-term emissions reduction target ahead of schedule is a proud moment for TLT and a testament to the dedication of our people. But we know that leadership in environmental sustainability means going further. Our carbon offsetting strategy is built on a foundation of meaningful emissions reduction. We’re not just neutralising what remains, we’re investing in nature-based solutions that restore ecosystems, support communities, and create long-term impact.”

Henry Rossiter, Business Development Director at Belmont Estate, commented:

"We’re proud to partner with TLT on a programme that puts integrity, community, and long-term environmental recovery at its core. By combining restoration Trees for Global Benefits project in Uganda with local restoration at Aberarder Estate, we are providing immediate global action, which not only addresses carbon but also creating healthier ecosystems and spaces for people to reconnect with nature. This partnership reflects our shared belief that businesses can play a vital role in driving meaningful climate solutions that go beyond offsetting to deliver real regeneration."

Photo credits: Belmont Estate