Pilio comes from the Latin name for butterfly, papilio. We follow the philosophy of the butterfly effect - that small changes can lead to big transformations. This is why we’re committed to supporting businesses to make positive changes on an organisational level that catalyse a wider transformation to a sustainable future.
The butterfly effect
The Pilio story
Spun out of the University of Oxford in 2011, Pilio combines scientific rigour with deep experience in supporting hundreds of businesses to take climate action.
Our founders, Catherine Bottrill and Dr. Russell Layberry, bring expertise in energy, carbon, nature and culture. Each of these come through in our holistic approach to developing solutions which tackle the greatest climate and nature challenges of our time.
Since 2020, Pilio has had a particular focus on supporting the fashion industry to meet its commitments through farm-level clean energy and biodiversity programmes in cotton and wool.
Our areas of focus
A farm-level programme for fashion and textile brands to invest in climate, nature and people in their cotton supply chain in India. Our team has developed the methodology and implemented this programme that benefits both brands and farming communities.
ACE Cotton programme
We’ve supported hundreds of UK and global businesses to meet their sustainability commitments, working with clients across sectors, predominantly in arts and heritage. With our data expertise, we have developed and sold an Energy Management and Carbon Footprint software now housed by Green Future Project.
Sustainability consultancy
At home in the UK we have led a number of projects exploring sustainable UK farming. We ran a DEFRA Test & Trial Landscape Recovery project to understand public and private financing to incentivise and support farmers in sustainable practices. We have also worked with wool farmers to understand carbon and biodiversity on their farms, and taken wool through a local UK supply chain to create traceable, sustainable products.
Sustainable UK farming programmes
Our partnerships
We are the Biodiversity Knowledge Partners for Better Cotton Initiative, completing a 3-year programme developing methodology to scale their biodiversity criteria.
Better Cotton Initiative
We are the science and technical partners for Julie’s Bicycle, supporting arts organisations through the Spotlight programme on Transforming Energy.
Julie’s Bicycle
We sold our energy management and carbon footprint software to our Italian partners, sustainability company Green Future Project in 2024.
Green Future Project
We’d love to work with you
Reach out to see how our services and expertise can support your organisation on its sustainability journey.