Introduction

In the United Kingdom, a new rule has been introduced for companies that work on government projects. This rule says they must spend 10% of their work time helping the environment. The aim is to make sure that when public money is spent, nature benefits too. The law was created because problems like climate change, pollution, and loss of wildlife are becoming urgent, and the government wants businesses to be part of the solution (Defra, 2021).

What Does the Law Mean?

The law is part of the government’s social value rules, which mean companies must show they bring extra benefits to communities and the planet. Since 2021, government contracts have included a requirement that at least 10% of the project’s value should be focused on doing social or environmental good (Social Value Portal, 2025). The new law makes this clearer: if a company is building a road, designing software, or providing any service funded by government, it must spend 10% of its time on environmental activities.

For example, if workers spend 1,000 hours on a government contract, at least 100 of those hours must be dedicated to something green. This ensures that progress in construction, technology, or services also helps protect nature.

Why Was it Introduced?

The environment is under pressure. Wildlife in the UK is declining, extreme weather is increasing, and air and water pollution remain serious (Defra, 2021). The government has promised to stop the loss of species by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050. To do this, every part of society, including business, must contribute. By introducing this law, the government ensures that public projects not only deliver their main purpose (such as building schools or hospitals) but also leave the environment in better condition.

It reflects the idea that economic growth and environmental protection should happen together, not in conflict.

Who Must Follow It?

The rule applies to any company working on government contracts. This could be:

• A construction company building a new road or hospital.
• An IT company creating software for public services.
• A consultancy advising a government department.

Big or small, all suppliers must dedicate 10% of their time to the environment (whatimpact, n.d.). When contracts are awarded, companies are partly judged on the strength of their environmental promises. This ensures a level playing field: every supplier must plan and report green actions as part of their work.

What Does “10% for the Environment” Mean?

Ten percent means 10 out of every 100. So if a team spends five days working, half a day must go to environmental projects. Companies can meet this requirement in different ways:

• Allowing employees to use part of their work time for eco-friendly projects.
• Scheduling environmental tasks during the project timeline.
• Creating dedicated “green teams” to organise activities.

Some firms already do this. For example, Landor & Fitch lets employees spend up to 10% of their work hours on sustainability projects through their “Good Squad” initiative (Welcome to the Jungle, 2023). This shows how companies can embed green actions into normal working life.

Examples of Activities

There are many ways companies can use this 10% time. Common examples include:

• Planting trees or restoring habitats. In fact, England already requires developments to deliver 10% biodiversity net gain, meaning habitats must be left bigger or better than before (Keenan, 2025).
• Cutting pollution. This could mean using electric vehicles, reducing waste, or fitting solar panels.
• Community clean-ups. Staff might volunteer to clean rivers, parks, or beaches. Around 11 million UK workers already have access to paid volunteering time (whatimpact, n.d.).
• Education. Companies might run workshops in schools about recycling or nature.
• Green innovation. Businesses can spend time developing eco-friendly technologies, such as energy-saving software or low-carbon building methods.

The key point is that the activities must bring a real environmental benefit. They should not just tick a box but create measurable improvements, like cleaner air, restored habitats, or reduced emissions.

Steps to Make it Work

To achieve the 10% goal, companies and people can follow clear steps:

1. Plan early. Green tasks should be part of the project plan from day one (whatimpact, n.d.).
2. Engage employees. Workers should be encouraged to join environmental activities through green teams or volunteering.
3. Choose meaningful projects. Tasks should suit the location and industry. A road builder might create wildlife crossings, while a tech firm might focus on reducing energy use.
4. Track results. Companies should measure hours spent, trees planted, or carbon saved, and report back with evidence.
5. Make it culture. Over time, businesses can make environmental action a permanent part of their way of working.

These steps help make sure the 10% requirement is not wasted but produces visible, lasting benefits.

Why Does it Matter for the Future?

This law matters because it makes protecting the planet a normal part of everyday work. Instead of being left to charities or governments alone, businesses are now required to contribute too. Over hundreds of projects, the small 10% adds up to a big impact: more trees, cleaner water, and reduced carbon emissions.

For children and young people, this is especially important. Experts say we are the first generation to fully understand the damage being done to Earth and the last with the chance to fix it in time (WWF, 2024). By asking companies to act, the government is investing in a healthier future – one where today’s kids can grow up with cleaner air, thriving wildlife, and a stable climate.

In short, this law is about hope. It shows that building new roads, schools, and technology can go hand-in-hand with restoring nature. If every project gives a little back, together we can protect the only home we have.

References

Defra (2021). World-leading Environment Act becomes law. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, 10 November.

Keenan, R. (2025). Habitat banks: how law to boost wildlife in England is faring one year in. The Guardian, 14 February.

Social Value Portal (2025). The Procurement Act 2023 & Social Value now: What authorities and suppliers need to know.

whatimpact (n.d.). Harnessing volunteering schemes for tender specific social value.

Welcome to the Jungle (2023). Landor & Fitch – Good Squad initiative.

WWF (2024). 10 things you can do to help save our planet. WWF-UK.