Businesses get hands in the soil for World Environment Day
On World Environment Day (June 5th), the 100 Tonne Challenge aims to offset even more carbon dioxide than the inaugural Challenge last year. The 100 Tonne Challenge, organised by the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), brings together businesses and communities to help offset 100 tonnes of the greenhouse gas CO2 by planting at least 667 native New Zealand trees.
Last year 6800 native trees were planted, offsetting a total of 720 tonnes of CO2. The event will take place in sites in Auckland and Tauranga. CEO of the SBN Rachel Brown says that the 100 Tonne Challenge is a great way for businesses to get involved with their local community.
“The tree planting helps build teamwork within businesses, improves relationships between businesses and the community, and can be a useful networking opportunity. That’s on top of benefiting the environment by helping offset CO2 emissions and improving biodiversity and water quality,”
“The 100 Tonne Challenge was a huge success last year and we’re hoping to repeat the success this year. It will be heaps of fun and a definite water cooler topic!” she says.
Companies taking part in the 2013 Challenge include Fulton Hogan, Vodafone and Jucy Group Ltd. Trevor Moir, Regional Manager from Fulton Hogan, the principal sponsor of the 100 Tonne Challenge, says “Last year’s event was a great success, not only because of the bit of good the trees are doing for our carbon footprint, but also for the great connection we made with Sylvia Park Primary School. We’re very much looking forward to this year’s event and are happy to be supporting the SBN in helping to make the 100 Tonne Challenge an even greater success.”
The Challenge is organised by SBN’s carbon offset programme Carbon4Good, which is a key project in SBN’s new Restorative workstream. “We have recently restructured SBN’s activity into four core subject areas,” says Rachel. “We call them Transformation Areas as they’re the key ways in which we believe business can help transform New Zealand into a model sustainable nation. The four Transformation Areas are Renewables; Community; Mega efficiency; and Restorative.
“Our Carbon4Good programme is a great example of one of the projects in our Restorative Transformation Area as it helps business enhance New Zealand’s natural capital. We want to enable business to give back to – rather than simply take from – the environment.”
Another project under the Restorative workstream is Forests for Health, which is a partnership between Carbon4Good and OraTaiao: The NZ Climate and Health Council. This initiative, which is launching on 5 June, enables health professionals to offset their carbon emissions. Find out more at www.forestsforhealthnz.org.
Of the other Transformation Areas, Renewables includes projects that help create an economy that supports 100% renewable energy; Mega efficiency means maximising the use of all resources and designing out waste; while Community involves building healthy communities that support thriving businesses. “The collective impact of all our projects and activities will help build a better business future for New Zealand,” says Rachel.
More Information
What: Carbon4Good’s 100 Tonne Challenge
Date: June 5th 2013
Time: Morning and Afternoon Sessions
Location: Planting sites around Auckland and Tauranga
Cost: Free for Carbon4Good participants, $95 per person for SBN members and $190
per person for non-members, to cover the cost of trees
Further info: www.carbon4good.org.nz
Contact: Louisa Chase, [email protected], 09 826 0735
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