Since the beginning, SANVT has produced essential clothing in a sustainable way with the approach of supporting climate projects in order to offset production and business related emissions. In order to achieve this, we analysed, minimised and began compensating for all of our production-related carbon emissions. Now, to add to this, from February 2020, we will plant a tree in some of the poorest regions of the world for every garment sold – in collaboration with Eden Projects.
Here are the steps we’ve taken to get to this point:
Calculation of SANVT’s carbon-footprint
When SANVT first started, we carried out the analysis of our product-specific carbon-footprint in cooperation with ClimatePartner. Taking our Tees as an example, we found that, after making our manufacturing processes as sustainable as possible (e.g. by local production in Portugal), the production of one of each one of our T-Shirts causes 5kg CO2. This calculation is based on the total CO2 emissions during the entire manufacturing process – from the cultivation and transport of cotton, through to production, packaging and logistics.
Offsetting emissions in cooperation with ClimatePartner
To offset these emissions, we took the decision to support climate protection projects under the supervision of ClimatePartner – and SANVT is now involved in a dedicated local forest protection and reforestation in the Bavarian Alps (the Bergwaldprojekt e.V.). Our close cooperation with ClimatePartner and the Bergwaldprojekt can also be transparently tracked by end customers at any time.
SANVT compensates all production-related emissions by supporting local climate protection projects
For our customers this means that the purchase of an article from SANVT is an indirect contribution to climate and forest protection. But while the compensation of CO2 emissions is certainly an important first step towards climate protection, we understand that for successful climate protection even more is needed. Effective protection is not a one-stop-job but a long-term challenge…
SANVT in collaboration with EDEN PROJECTS is planting one tree for every garment sold
Making our local climate protection commitment global
Building on our local climate protection projects in Germany, we have now started collaborating internationally. For a long time we have been looking for a global organisation where we can be sure that our donations really make a difference. Transparency and experience were crucial factors and we are now more than excited to have started a long-term collaboration with the renowned “Eden Projects” (among others, Eden Projects also works with the eco search engine Ecosia, which plants trees for searches made).
What do Eden Projects do?
In partnership with local villagers in Nepal, Indonesia, Madagascar, Haiti, Mozambique and Kenya, Eden Projects has planted millions of trees over recent years.
Eden Projects can also be explained by looking at the two main objectives of their reforestation initiatives:
- Restore healthy forests
- Reduce extreme poverty
SANVT X EDEN PROJECTS
Together with Eden Projects, we want to make a positive impact on climate change while providing financial support to some of the world’s poorest regions. That’s why, in cooperation with Eden Projects, we will now plant a tree for each of our essentials sold. And this is not done by planting machines but directly by humans within local communities.
SANVT plants a tree for every garment sold: Reforestation is done by local communities
Eden Projects combines reforestation programmes and support of local communities
The involvement of local residents has clear advantages:
- Jobs are created for the poorest within local communities, while the economy in the region is stimulated.
- The work creates a connection between the locals and “their” forest. The young forest is therefore sustainably protected from destruction or deforestation.
- Many natural disasters have their origin in deforestation. These disasters usually hit the poorest populations particularly hard. Reforestation provides sustainable support for these regions, to prevent such natural disasters from occurring in the future.
- Trees are the most effective CO2-binders. Mangrove trees, for example, can bind 300 kg of CO2 in the soil and so significantly reduce the burden on the environment.
So in the future – while you are excited about the longevity of your essentials – you can imagine a new tree is being planted on the other side of the world thanks to your support.
Photography courtesy of Eden Projects.