Carbon Offsetting For Small Businesses

The planting of trees for carbon offset is now an established way for SMEs to influence the environment positively. It is not the solution to climate change, but as part of a mixed sustainability programme, offsetting has got a lot going for it, and is particularly appropriate when the nature of business means it is impractical to reduce emissions significantly. 

However, there is a lot of misinformation about offsetting. For example, the carbon reduction claims made for the planting of trees are often wildly exaggerated, and if planting is managed badly it can cause problems for local populations and wildlife, and result in soil erosion.

The most common falsehood of offsetting is the amount of carbon it reduces. A mature tree can reduce between 21.77 kg and 31.5kg of CO2 annually, depending on age and type of tree, and there are other influences such as location, weather and season. It means every ton of CO2 produced requires anywhere between 31 and 46 mature trees to balance damage.

Yet results from new planting are often reported based on best case scenarios for trees that will not reach their potential for 10 or more years. And critics warn against over reliance on carbon offsetting. The argument being that it is too often used to divert attention away from reducing emissions. Nevertheless, despite the negatives it can be a good thing if done well.  

The Tree Plating Options 

One good thing about carbon offsetting planting is that it can be flexible in terms of geography, and this can make money go a long way. Projects in the developing world give a proportionately greater financial return, and it is usually possible to help fund specialist agencies that operate in areas where aid is needed to support local communities as well as forestry eco systems. Frequently the work involved can improve water filtration, improve local economies, combat poverty and provide food and shelter for some of the World’s poorest people. And the price can be as low as 25 pence to have a tree planted.

But there are major benefits to opting to go local with local tree planting too. Undertaking activity close to home can help integrate businesses into the community, and encourage others through example. It also has the bonus of being able to involve staff and third parties such as clients or suppliers, plus planting trees locally makes great material for marketing, particularly social media and public relations.   

Some businesses ask staff or clients to put forward ideas for planting, which may result in choosing locations such as the schools attended by their children. Not only does this type of activity do the work of carbon reduction, but it motivates staff, benefits the local community and is seen to do so while educating younger generations. The involvement of clients, supply companies, or distributors forges closer business relationships.

Tree planting programmes can be designed on a do-it-yourself basis, and helped by taking guidance from the Woodland Carbon Code, which was established to create a consistent approach to planting, and getting the most from it. There is a similar code for peat projects - the Peatland Code. 

As well as improving the environment, offsetting generates definite sales advantages when publicised in the right way. There is increasing evidence that shows both consumer and B2B buyer attitudes to purchasing decisions are increasingly influenced by seeing robust green credentials. A growing number insist on it, and incorporating demonstrations of sustainability into marketing messages helps to win sales. 

Adopting tree planting has a lot of positives in terms of the sustainability journey when mixed with cutting carbon emissions. When considering tree planting offset overseas it is best to work with a not for profit specialist partner, such as Ripple Africa https://rippleafricausa.org ,