Carbon Neutral Balconies

Low-Carbon Balconies

Sapphire has worked with a leading climate solutions developer, to achieve certification as a company with carbon neutral operations. Sapphire has worked closely with supply chain specialists to identify, analyse and reduce our emissions and carbon footprint. In doing so we have implemented steps like switching to 100% renewable energy supply etc and have now offset the un-avoidable/remaining carbon through investing into certified investment programs funding forest protection initiative in Zimbabwe and in Columbia.

We have specifically chosen these schemes and chosen to invest in forests because carbon and biodiversity specialists suggest that evidence points to forests being the most effective climate solution.

Kariba Forest, Zimbabwe

At more than 785,000 hectares, Kariba REDD+ is the largest community forest conservation and protection initiative in Zimbabwe. In recent years, more than a third of Zimbabwe’s forests have been lost to agriculture, forest fires, and wild poaching. By teaching and supporting conservation farming, the project provides a more sustainable livelihood to local families, most of whom are small scale farmers.

Project activities include conservation agriculture, community gardens, beekeeping training, fire management, and ecotourism create jobs and facilitate sustainable incomes, benefiting the entire region. The Kariba conservation project is a community-based scheme, administered by the four local Rural District Councils (RDCs) of Binga, Nyaminyami, Hurungwe and Mbire.

The site of the forest is situated on the southern shores of Lake Kariba, near to the Zimbabwe-Zambia border. It is one of the largest REDD Projects by area and it connects four national parks, eight safari reserves and forms a giant biodiversity corridor for numerous vulnerable and endangered species including African Elephants, Lion’s and Hornbill’s.

Vegachi Forest, Columbia

The Vegachi Forest in the Colombian department of Antioquia is one of the least-developed and remote areas. Extensive timber extraction from forests and cattle ranching have led to deforestation and degraded lands in the area. By providing education for sustainable forest and land management the project helps farmers to create new livelihoods in this area of nearly 215ha of forest.

The project solution will provide the needed recovery of the native vegetation through the reforestation of 171ha of grazing land which has become degraded. An additional 44ha of forest conservation is part of the scheme which will protect Colombian endemic species like the Colombian Chachalaca and also the endangered white-footed tamarin. Together the work connects forest patches and isolated areas of natural habitat and improves the biodiversity of the forest.

There continues to be a positive local communities impact of job creation through reforestation activities like fertilisation, thinning and establishment.

Related Content: