Carbon Offsetting: Pur Projet
Quinoa is already a carbon efficient crop but we think we can do more to help slow climate change.
Offsetting our Maritime Emissions
We have pledged to offset every gram of CO2 emitted by the shipping (maritime) of our Organic Fairtrade Quinoa from Lima, Peru to Le Havre in France.
Through Pur Projet we finance a certified reforestation project in San Martin, Peru guaranteeing the offset of our maritime transport CO2. Shipping goods via maritime transport is very carbon-efficient especially vs flying.
Background
In the 1980’s San Martin region was heavily deforested as Peru underwent a strong increase in illicit cocoa cultivation, cattle ranching and drug trafficking, which ruled many Amazonian regions. As a result, the soil and ecosystems of the region were heavily impacted. Local cooperatives were created and gathered Fairtrade organic cocoa and coffee farmers to help plant trees on degraded land.
Reforestation
We estimate our quinoa’s maritime carbon emissions and co-finance the certified reforestation project Jubilación Segura - guaranteeing the equivalent of our CO2 emissions will be offset by forest carbon sequestration. Since launching in 2010, a total of 1,624,492 trees have been planted by Pur Projet in San Martin, Peru.
Carbon Sequestration
Pur Projet have estimated that for every 1000 trees planted, 17.1 tonnes of CO2 is removed from the atmosphere per year via carbon sequestration! Carbon Sequestration is when carbon dioxide is absorbed by trees/plants/grasses through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in biomass (trunks, branches, foliage, and roots) and soils.
What about the Farmers?
Over 2,663 farmers have been involved in the Jubilación Segura project thus far. The reforestation project has helped provide alternative and additional sources of income for local farming communities.
Protecting biodiversity
In addition to carbon sequestration and enhancing farmers' livelihoods, the project helps to increase rain-forest biodiversity, retain additional water, restore degraded land and decrease soil erosion. To learn more, click the button below to watch a short video on this project.