At Starling, we want to do the right thing. That’s why we plant a tree to say thank you, every time you recommend us to a friend or family member and they become a customer, using our in-app referral scheme.
The scheme is enabled by our partnership with Trillion Trees, a joint venture for forest protection and restoration made up of three of the world’s largest conservation organisations: BirdLife International, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
So far, we have more than 80,000 trees growing through this partnership, it’s one of several steps we’ve taken to become a more sustainable bank.
Why trees matter
Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. The more trees there are, the more carbon dioxide can be taken out of the atmosphere.
According to WWF, forests are home to more than half of the world’s life on land and provide livelihoods to more than 1.6 billion people.
Scientists estimate that there used to be six trillion trees on the planet. Today, there are around three trillion. That’s why the work of Trillion Trees is so important. It’s committed to protecting and restoring one trillion trees for the benefit of people, nature and our climate.
About Trillion Trees
“Our aim is to protect the forests we have and restore what has been lost,” says John Lotspeich, Executive Director of Trillion Trees. “Forests play a crucial role in the protection of our climate, in supporting the planet’s biodiversity and are directly connected to the livelihoods of millions of people, which is why the work of our partnership is so important.”
Trillion Trees, founded in 2016, takes a collaborative, holistic and long-term approach to conservation. BirdLife International, WCS and WWF are working together to protect and restore forests and end deforestation - something that Starling customers can be a part of.
“For each successful Starling referral, we plant and grow a tree - and because it’s planted by our partners, we’ll take good care of it and of the forest it’s in, for the long term,” says John.
Trillion Trees partners work with local communities in countries around the world. Trees planted through Starling’s referral scheme are mostly grown in Kenya, Madagascar or Tanzania.