The Carbon Question: Planting trees in an IT forest
The Carbon Question: Planting trees in an IT forest
November/December Edition, 2007: On Kangaroo Island off South Australia, NEC is watering the roots on its 700,000th tree. For IT companies, investing in their carbon footprint is proving worthwhile and leaving Government climate change policies in the past.
Hopefully the world never tires of hearing the words ‘Climate’ and ‘Change’ in the same sentence, even if you’re its staunchest opponent and don’t believe any of the scientific data supporting global warming then at least you’re keeping the debate alive.
One of the interesting things to emerge from this debate is the intensified interest from Governments and Corporations who are improving their image by helping the planet. There has always been the opportunity for dollars to be poured into charities and research funding to improve the corporate image, but never has it been more efficient than investing in reducing your carbon footprint.
Such could be said of the NEC Forest on Kangaroo Island, which recently had its 700,000th tree planted by South Australian Premier Mike Rann. As for this particular forest however, it’s difficult to be cynical about NEC’s intentions when it was established in 2003, long before climate change was popularized.
“You can’t criticise a company for trying to do something to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. People can take a bit of a holier than thou approach,” says Patrice Newell, Federal Senate candidate for the Climate Change Coalition.
Newell believes that in the future, it won’t be a special occurrence for a business to attempt to go carbon neutral, but rather a business norm. As for the businesses already on top of carbon reducing initiatives today, Newell believes they should be applauded.
“The Liberal Government has not been the leader we've needed them to be, a lot of the energy towards reducing our carbon footprint has come from the private sector,” says Newell. “There are good people in all political groups and parties but they do not always get the ability to rise above the muck,” says Newell.
Interestingly enough, trees are not the only means to carbon neutrality, particularly in the Australian environment where carbon can be stored in grass and soil. “Most of the landmass of Australia can become part of the solution,” says Newell. “We just need to rally support and get everyone excited about improving existing conditions. Land managers should be given financial incentives for storing carbon, and it should be happening already.”
Back on Kangaroo Island, NEC are calling their forest the centerpiece of their global commitment to cancel out global C02 emissions within three years. It’s a nice CSR touch, but also some welcoming relief for the environment from a technology manufacturing company.