A trailblazer in sustainability for over 25 years, Will Richardson has dedicated his career to driving meaningful, measurable progress for people and planet. As part of the senior leadership team at 51 to Carbon Zero, Will is focused on accelerating the world’s transition to a net zero economy—helping leading organisations turn sustainability ambition into accountable action.
At 51 to Carbon Zero, Will and his team empower global brands to navigate the complexities of decarbonisation with clarity, precision, and confidence. The organisation’s intelligent platform combines best-in-class measurement, strategic planning, and transparent governance, enabling businesses to move beyond pledges toward verified performance. Together, the expert advisory team and data-driven technology deliver transformation that strengthens brand trust, engages employees, and drives long-term value creation.
Before joining 51 to Carbon Zero, Will founded Green Element Group, where he pioneered the integration of environmental consultancy and carbon accounting technology to make sustainability strategies accessible, transparent, and commercially sound. Under his leadership, Green Element became the first UK-based environmental consultancy certified as a B Corp, twice recognised among the Top 50 sustainability consultancies, and established itself as a global innovator in carbon management solutions.
Beyond boardrooms and platforms, Will remains committed to inspiring action across industries and communities. As co-host of the Sustainability Solved podcast, he engages global innovators and changemakers to share practical, evidence-based strategies that demystify climate action for every organisation.
Will’s mission—aligned with 51 to Carbon Zero’s vision—is clear: to empower businesses to thrive by making sustainability measurable, manageable, and meaningful.
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I'm Will Richardson, Head of Ecosystems at 51toCarbonZero and a sustainability advisor with 25 years in the field. I founded Green Element in 2004 and spent two decades building it into one of Europe's most respected sustainability consultancies before it merged with 51toCarbonZero in November 2025.
Climate action is both an obligation and an opportunity, and that's the thread running through everything I write here. I co-created Compare Your Footprint, carbon accounting software recognised as a key player in the Global Carbon Accounting Software Market, and I'm a Fellow of IEMA and a Chartered Environmentalist.
Each week, I break down what's actually happening in sustainability: the data, the regulation, the greenwash worth calling out, and the practical steps businesses can take right now. No jargon, no doom-mongering, just clear thinking for people who need to make real decisions.
I also host the Sustainability Solved podcast with Charlie Luxton, 200+ episodes and counting, where we talk to the people building the solutions.
Based in Scotland. Writing for business leaders who want sustainability to make commercial sense, not just moral sense.
My Personal Substack
UPCOMING WEBINAR: The Scope 3 Blind Spot: What Your Supplier Data Isn't Telling You
Scope 3 emissions are often the biggest contributor to an organisation’s carbon footprint, yet many businesses are making decisions based on incomplete, outdated or estimated supplier data.
In this webinar, we’ll explore the biggest blind spots in supplier emissions data, why they matter for reporting and decarbonisation, and how leading organisations are moving beyond spreadsheets and assumptions to build a more accurate, scalable approach to Scope 3.
LIVE ATTENDANCE BONUS: complimentary gap audit of your top 10 suppliers.
Wednesday 16 September | 1pm BST
https://www.51tocarbonzero.com/webinar-supply-chain/
