Europe: Fruit Logistica 2011, Germany
Two organisations in separate countries on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean joined forces in Germany to further highlight the benefits of combining successful business and environmental stewardship.
Landcare Research’s carboNZeroCertTM programme combined with the Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association to certify the South American country’s pavilion at February’s world-leading trade fair for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry – Fruit Logistica – in Berlin as being carbon neutral.
More than 2,300 companies from across the entire fresh-produce value chain were present at Fruit Logistica – including global players as well as small and medium-sized suppliers. ‘The event offers unparalleled opportunities to showcase not only the carboNZero programme but also how it can strengthen business,’ says Daniela Ramirez, carboNZero programme Business Development Manager – Chile.
The project has measured the carbon tonnage associated with all trade delegates, as well as the carbon output of the Chilean pavilion at Fruit Logistica. The industry has offset the carbon footprint by acquiring accredited carbon credits from a Latin-American project, allowing the fruit industry’s participation at the fair to be certified carbon neutral.
‘This type of pilot programme signals our industry’s commitment to tackling the key issues related to increasing our sector’s sustainability throughout the supply chain,’ says Ronald Bown, Chairman of the Board of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX).
The carboNZero programme is an internationally recognised scheme for organisations, products, services and events, offering optional mitigation strategies through the provision of credible and verified offsets.