Skanska has launched a programme to help give something back to the environment, off-setting carbon emissions from the company’s air travel.
Following on from Skanska’s commitment to World Environment Day, where it promoted energy and water efficiency to its staff throughout the UK, one of the questions that emerged was how to lessen the use of air travel, mitigate the effects of carbon production and most importantly to give something back to the environment.
Research undertaken during 2005 identified Cowdray Park in Midhurst, West Sussex as an ideal partner for Skanska. Cowdray Park has a well-established woodland; FSC accredited and has enthusiastically become involved with the project.
During 2005, Skanska requested that 5,000 trees were planted on land specifically earmarked for this purpose. The first planting was made earlier this year and comprised 80 per cent Oak, 10 per cent Ash and five per cent each of Cherry and Willow/Poplar. Another 5,000 will be planted in the 2006/07 season.
“We have a duty to mitigate the effects that our air travel have on the environment,” said David Fison, Chief Executive, Skanska UK. “We have found an excellent partner in Cowdray Park and hope that this project will not only enable us to off-set the emissions from our air travel, but educate people about the effects that it has on the environment in a fun and different way.
It is expected that during their 125-year lifecycle, Skanska’s trees will absorb at least the amount of carbon produced by the company’s air travel.