Clyst St Mary company drives for a sustainable future
Many companies are increasingly becoming focused on ‘doing their bit’ to try to help to reduce our impact on the environment.
Well, one Devon firm is aiming to go ‘above and beyond’ in its quest to help the planet following its recent partnership with the Just One Tree initiative – a project which aims to plants trees around the world to help regenerate forests.
‘We’ve looked at different options including bringing in a consultant to work out our carbon emissions,’ explains Tom Baker, Founder of The Fresh Accountancy Company.
‘However, we decided it was more beneficial to assume a worst case scenario of four tonnes of CO2 per annum per person and look for a practical way to offset this.’
‘Signing up with Just One Tree for quarterly tree planting will offset 32 tonnes of CO2 per annum, as well as benefitting the communities where the trees are planted, and ultimately help to tackle climate change.’
The Fresh Accountancy Company already derives all its energy from renewable sources including its own solar PV. The system was installed in 2023. The company says it’s since generated 6136 kwh of power and saved six tonnes of CO2.
It explains that, when needed, it can receive further electricity from a supplier which only uses energy from renewable sources.
Going electric: An aim to reduce commuting emissions
In 2023, the company switched its company vehicles to electric power and installed an EV charging point at the offices in Clyst St Mary.
‘For the future, we’re looking at either providing electric cars for all employees or offering an incentive to switch, in a bid to reduce commuting emissions.’
‘We are also looking at installing an air source heat pump to reduce energy used for heating by as much as 50 percent.’
Not for profit organisation Just One Tree works with a network of reforestation partners in poverty stricken locations in Africa, Asia and South America which have an existing working infrastructure.
As well as tackling climate change, it’s envisaged that local communities will benefit from agricultural education and sustainable incomes.
