The Woodland Trust
NEW INITIATIVE PROMISES THE EARTH
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A carbon offset provider in Barnstaple has become the first in Britain to scrap paper applications in a groundbreaking bid to protect ancient woodland.
The move by PayrollGiving.com could save up to 5,000 trees each year when electronic requests take over in the summer.
Until now, companies looking to go green have had to apply for carbon offset programs, such as tree-planting schemes, using traditional paper forms.
In a bizarre twist, this has led to the increased felling of pine, spruce and birch - timbers commonly used to make paper.
But from July 30 Payroll Giving, based on Litchdon Street, will phase out ''the vast majority'' of paper applications in favour of a more eco-friendly, online service.
They claim the 'Carbon Capture' initiative will reduce the organisation's paper trail by as much as 60 per cent, and could save up to 75 tonnes of paper each year.
It will also create new woodland through a partnership with the Woodland Trust.
Jeremy Colwill, director of Payroll Giving, said: ''In partnership with the Woodland Trust, we introduced Carbon Capture, our award-winning service, in 2008. In so doing, we became the first organisation in Britain to lead the way in Carbon Capture Payroll Giving.
''The sheer number of applications we have received through it to date has proved its worth.
''As a result, we're now looking to phase out paper applications by July 30. We'll still accept paper requests, but plan to process the vast majority through our website.
''We're confident that this will significantly reduce our own paper trail and help to conserve Britain's dwindling woodland.''
The principle of 'offset' schemes are to counteract the impact of emissions created from everyday activities - such as driving cars, heating homes and businesses, and flying.
Celebrities, including the Rolling Stones, Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Conservative leader David Cameron, have signed up to reduce their own carbon footprint.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Britons spent £60 million on offset schemes in 2006 alone. This is forecast to grow to £250 million annually by 2009/10.
But the surge in applications has led, indirectly, to more deforestation.
Offset providers usually send companies or individuals paper requests, which must be completed and sent back for processing.
This leads to an unnecessary paper trail, and costs thousands of pounds in postage and administrative fees.
But now Payroll Giving in Action, a fundraising organisation that works on behalf of the UK's 190,000 charities, has turned to the internet to cut costs and save resources.
The Devon-based organisation, which has its HQ in Barnstaple, launched its Carbon Capture scheme in partnership with the Woodland Trust in February 2008, when 150 employees from Royal Mail signed-
Their donations helped plant 2,500 trees across the UK.
It was the first time that employees at a British-based firm could offset their residual carbon emissions through tax-free payroll donations.
Since then, Carbon Capture has become so successful that Payroll Giving now plans to abandon paper applications entirely.
Environmentally-
Using the site's online 'calculator, businesses and their employees can determine the amount of CO2 they need to 'lock up'.
Once the request to do so has been processed, a donation will go to to the Woodland Trust directly from their earnings.
According to Mr Colwill, a donation of just £25 will go towards the creation of 25 square metres of new woodland.
He said: ''The Carbon Capture scheme is about contributing to the longevity of Britain's woodlands.
''It's a straightforward and stress-free way of locking up your own emissions, while restoring trees to our precious countryside.''
A spokesman for The Woodland Trust added: ''We are delighted to be involved in the Carbon Capture initiative.
''It is a great way to engage staff and will help both an individual and companies themselves to make a dent on any impact that they have on the environment.
''Not only this but the Trust creates woodland at sites across the UK so contributors know they are helping to aid our cause of protecting and enhancing native trees and woods.''
For more information about Payroll Giving in Action and its online Carbon
Capture scheme, visit www.payrollgiving.co.uk
ENDS
For media enquiries contact: Alex Claydon, Corporate Senior PR & Communications Officer, on 01476 581 112, email: alexclaydon@
The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people's understanding and enjoyment of woodland. Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free. Further news can be found at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
Mr Jeremy Colwill is available for media interviews. Please call: 01271 326131
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
