Carbon Offsetting is very important to NRS Healthcare and our partners at Herefordshire Council. In October 2020 we identified the level of our carbon footprint and started a discussion with our commissioners at Herefordshire Council about offsetting our carbon footprint, along with EcoAct.

Carbon offsetting is an internationally recognised way to take responsibility for carbon emissions which are unavoidable. In simple terms, offsetting one tonne of carbon means that there will be one tonne of carbon less in the air than there would have been.

Alongside working to reduce our emissions as a company, offsetting is seen as best practise amongst companies with a strong carbon neutral aim.

Ecoact helps businesses and organisations succeed in their climate ambitions. They partner with companies to provide the widest range of best in class solutions to help effectively challenge climate change.

The international climate consultancy and project developer works with companies to reinvest a figure which is deemed to be equivalent in monetary value to the cost of their carbon footprint.

We reviewed the portfolio of Ecoact’s products with Cllr Pauline Crockett – Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Wellbeing, Herefordshire Council (with oversight for the integrated community equipment services) and decided upon investment in the Neema Forest project in Kenya.

The Neema Forestry Project

Located in the Tsavo National Park in Kenya, The Neema Forestry program has the main objective of preserving biodiversity whilst developing a local sustainable economy.

The various activities put in place within the scope of the project promote the creation of sustainable companies (five to date) and support the extension of agriculture in arid zones that rely so heavily on the area.

As well as protecting forest area, many jojoba trees have been planted by the project. Jojoba culture has a high business value as its oil is used in the cosmetic industry. For example, the Neema Forestry program has developed a soap company soap is made with jojoba oil and sold within the country (and internationally). Therefore, local biodiversity is preserved while ensuring economic development.

    • 170,000 hectares of forest are preserved withinTsavo national parcs;

    • More than 50 species are now protected;

    • 90,000 trees are planted ensuring the reforestation of a part of the area;

    • 400 jobs have been created;

    • 120 rangers have been trained to ensure the preservation of the national park;

    • 1,600 scholarships have been provided to children in the area of the project;

    • 5 eco-responsible companies have been created to promote economic development of the area;

    • The Project has been elected as Best Forestry Project (2014) by the Environmental Finance Awards.

To find out more information about Ecoact and carbon offsetting please view their website here.

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