IT Services Firm Advances Climate and Social Impact Through Partnership with Carma
12 November 2025 – Principle Networks has reached a new sustainability milestone after funding the planting of 2,000 trees through its partnership with Carma, a B-Corp that combines environmental restoration with support for UK service leavers and veterans.
The collaboration reflects Principle Networks’ effort to broaden its impact beyond the technology sector and channel investment into initiatives that strengthen local communities, improve environmental resilience and assist veterans transitioning back into civilian life.
Carma’s model links reforestation with employment and skills development, working with organisations such as HighGround Charity and the Standing Tall Foundation to create horticultural opportunities for veterans, including tree planting and land management. These activities are designed to contribute to both long-term environmental recovery and personal reintegration for individuals leaving military service.
“Veteran repatriation and climate action are two social causes we are proud to be supporting through our valued partnership with Carma. The 2,000 trees planted to date is only the beginning as we look to scale our future investment to boost reforestation efforts and help more veterans reintegrate back into civilian life. Our work with Carma enables us to deliver positive social outcomes to local communities and we are honoured to be one of their commercial partners.” — Alex Steer, Co-CEO, Principle Networks
Combining Climate Action with Veteran Support
Tree-planting programmes have gained momentum across the UK as part of wider efforts to restore habitats, increase carbon absorption and improve ecological resilience. What differentiates Carma’s approach is its emphasis on social value: tree planting is delivered by veterans taking part in structured horticultural activities designed to support mental wellbeing, routine-building and skills development.
For veterans adjusting to civilian life, access to steady work and community involvement can play a pivotal role in stable resettlement. By linking commercial partnerships with on-the-ground employment opportunities, Carma aims to build a model that simultaneously benefits land, climate and people.
For Principle Networks, this dual impact aligns with a broader shift in corporate social responsibility, where businesses are increasingly expected to support societal outcomes alongside environmental ones. The company says the partnership represents a long-term investment in both climate mitigation and community inclusion.
Growing a Portfolio of Social and Environmental Initiatives
The work with Carma is part of a wider programme of charitable and community involvement that Principle Networks has expanded over the past year.
In June, a team from the company completed the Three Peaks Challenge, raising more than £2,500 for Parkinson’s UK. The challenge, which involves climbing the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours, has become a popular fundraiser across UK organisations seeking to support neurological research and community-based support services.
The company has also supported healthcare causes, with Client Director Dan Huckle raising £1,500 for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester. His participation in the Charity Boxing Nights event in October reflects the firm’s encouragement of staff-led charitable initiatives that deliver direct benefits to local communities.
“We want to be recognised beyond our technical expertise and to deliver tangible contributions to society,” Steer added. “By aligning with multiple charities and integrating CSR and ESG into our commercial activities, we can stay true to our mission of being a principled business.”
Demand for Corporate Action on Climate and Community Resilience
Businesses across the UK are facing increasing expectations to contribute meaningfully to environmental initiatives, particularly as reforestation and biodiversity restoration become essential components of national climate strategies. Tree planting remains one of the most visible and accessible methods for supporting restoration, though experts emphasise the importance of long-term maintenance and community involvement to ensure ecological success.
Principle Networks’ engagement with Carma reflects a growing trend of companies choosing programmes that combine environmental improvements with social outcomes. As veterans continue to face challenges related to employment, mental health and resettlement, organisations that bridge environmental work with structured support services are gaining greater attention.
Carma’s emphasis on employment for service leavers aligns with calls from veteran support organisations for meaningful pathways into the civilian workforce. Horticultural and land-based work can provide physical activity, mental clarity and a structured environment — factors widely recognised as beneficial for individuals transitioning out of military service.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact Through Long-Term Commitment
With 2,000 trees already funded, Principle Networks plans to expand its involvement with Carma in 2026. The company says it will increase its investment in reforestation and continue integrating environmental and social impact considerations into its commercial strategy.
As climate pressures intensify and community needs evolve, businesses are increasingly positioning sustainability and social value at the centre of their corporate identity. For Principle Networks, the next phase involves building on momentum and embedding CSR into ongoing operations rather than one-off initiatives.
The partnership with Carma serves as a model for how firms in the technology and services sectors can extend their impact beyond their direct business activities, contributing to wider national goals on climate resilience and veteran reintegration.
