12 Feb Read our latest Toshiba Carbon Offset Impact report
The CarbonZero scheme, making Toshiba MFDs CarbonZero
We have been part of Toshiba’s CarbonZero scheme since its inception in 2009. This scheme enables the offsetting of the carbon emissions produced by the Toshiba multi-function devices that we sell, to make them carbon zero.
To do this Toshiba work with CO2balance, a developer of high impact carbon projects, to calculate the carbon footprint of each machine, covering production, manufacture and transportation. Then the carbon emissions from the MFDs are offset through a selection of projects, most notably the Kenyan Energy Efficient Stove and Ugandan Borehole Project.
Our latest Carbon Offset Impact report, covering the last 10 years, has just been published and here we share some of the key facts and figures with you.
Based on the number and type of Toshiba CarbonZero MFDs that you have purchased from us, the total amount of carbon emissions that we have been able to offset together is 2,854.23 tonnes of CO2e. That's the equivalent of planting approx 42,810 mature trees!
Our Environmental Initiatives
We are Finalists in the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards 2020, in the Environmental Impact category. Our participation in the Toshiba CarbonZero scheme formed part of our submission, as did our Treemendous Print & Plant initiative. For every hardware product you buy from Sharples Group, we will plant a minimum of six trees in The Mersey Forest. In 2020, together we will plant a minimum of 1000 trees, benefiting the local environment, community and wildlife.
Find out more about our Treemendous initiative and how you can vote for us in the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards 2020:
About the Kenyan Energy Efficient Stove Project
This project builds energy saving cooking stoves for villages in Kenya. These brick stoves result in a 50% reduction in the need for firewood and so prevent carbon from being emitted. The stoves also provide families with a cost and time effective method of cooking. The reduction in firewood used helps prevent deforestation, creating knock on benefits to wildlife habitat and flood prevention. It is also a healthier method of cooking as it reduces indoor smoke by half. The World Health Organisation dubbed indoor smoke the ‘kitchen killer’ as it is responsible for nearly 2 million deaths in Africa every year.
About the Ugandan Borehole Project
This project rehabilitates existing boreholes in Northern Uganda, supplying families with fresh clean water. Lack of access to safe drinking water affects the health and well-being of local communities. But as well as the natural health benefits, it means families no longer have to boil the water. This reduces the use of firewood which prevents carbon emissions from being released. An International Institute for Environment and Development survey revealed that there are an estimated 50,000 defective water supply installations (IIED 2009). It was estimated that 40-50% of hand pumps in sub-Saharan Africa were not working (Diwi Consult & BIDR, 1994). As well as funding the borehole rehabilitation, the carbon credits that this project produces creates funding to deliver a long-term maintenance programme for the boreholes.
Impact in detail
The offsetting associated with the MFDs we have sold has resulted in a wide range of positive impacts in local communities. We want to share these figures with you, as we feel it’s important you, as purchasers of the Toshiba MFDs, know how you have contributed:
1 The data from the Impacts are based on the field work carried out by CO2balance within the project locations in Kenya. The data that is gathered is in line with the requirements of the Standard as part of the annual Monitoring Surveys. Data is then cross compared against national averages in Kenya to ensure accuracy. Assumptions and extrapolations have been used where relevant.
2 The Health Data is derived from the following sources R. Perez-Padilla et al, 2010. ‘Respiratory health effects of indoor air pollution’ in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, vol. 14 no. 9, pp1079 -1086. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2008). Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey. Ministry of Planning and National Development, p1-300.
About CO2balance
Established in 2003, CO2balance UK Ltd is a project developer of high impact, community focused, environmental projects that deliver quantifiable results that align with corporate sustainable reportinging. Primarily African based, projects include bespoke CSR and Gold Standard carbon offset projects that provide social, health and community impacts.
Both projects are externally verified and accredited through The Gold Standard. This is an internationally respected standard that assesses the social and community benefits to the region in addition to carbon saving. The Gold Standard was initiated by the World Wildlife Fund and is endorsed by 80+ NGOs with more than 1,100+ projects in 70 countries undergoing certification. The Gold Standard has become the global benchmark for the highest integrity and greatest impact on climate and development initiatives.
