Managers Iwan Spekenbrink and Sissy van Alebeek of Team Argos Shimano received from Trees for Travel a climate compensation certificate. The Dutch cycling team got the credential because the formation compensated the 616,8 tonne of CO2 emissions it made in 2011 by planting Jatropha bushes in Mali. In this way the greenhouse effect is not further enhanced.
Van der Ligt is proud of the team. “To us it is very important that Team Argos-Shimano is not only offsetting their CO2 emissions, but also shows it off to the outside world by its ambassadorship.”
Manager Sissy van Alebeek thinks it’s only logical that her team takes nature into account. “Each year we drive through the most beautiful areas in the world. We cherish those places. For us it is therefore only natural that we take our responsibility in this area. We are proud of our partnership with Trees for Travel because we not only offset, but actually work together and use the ambassadorship to spread the word. Trees for Travel is a partner, because we share their values.”
Trees for Travel is an organization dedicated to raising awareness of the greenhouse effect and trying to tackle it. Since its founding in 1999, it is working to achieve sustainable forestry and energy projects in developing countries. Trees for Travel has already offset a million tons of CO2 and planted millions of trees and shrubs.
Trees for Travel looks to more than just the climate. The local population is also helped. “We are creating employment and income for the duration of the project,” says Van der Ligt. “The duration is between twenty and fifty years. Nature is helped by the afforestation, restoration, management, increased natural biodiversity and reduced erosion. That also has benefits for the population. It means fewer floods, less loss of fertile agricultural land and a improved water quality.”
Since October 2011 Trees for Travel is wearing the official Dutch mark for Charity.
