Zutari celebrates World Environment Day by moving closer to a ‘net zero world’
 | Zutari celebrates World Environment Day by moving closer to a net zero world_approved | 122.77 KB | Download |
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Gold Standard was established in 2003 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other international NGOs to ensure projects that reduce carbon emissions adhere to the highest levels of environmental integrity and contribute to sustainable development. With the adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, a best practice standard for climate and sustainable development interventions was launched, the so-called Gold Standard for the Global Goals.
While the purchased offsets will not make Zutari entirely carbon neutral, it is sufficient to offset any emissions produced in several countries where the company operates for the 2022 financial year, explains Sonja de Klerk, Lead of Quality, Environment and Sustainability.
Zutari and its heritage company has measured its carbon footprint since 2014. It has conducted various campaigns to sensitise staff about the emissions they produce through their daily work and how these can be reduced. “The first prize is always to avoid or reduce emissions, rather than offsetting them afterwards,” highlights de Klerk.
However, emission avoidance is not always possible. Zutari has therefore begun the journey to offset its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. “World Environment Day is a great opportunity to take our first step in this direction,” adds de Klerk.
The funding mechanism for the offset purchases is based on a recycling centre from which Zutari receives an income from some of the recyclable waste. These funds are earmarked for environmental purposes such as the carbon emission offsetting. “This innovative approach enables us to promote a circular economy and climate change awareness at the same time,” says de Klerk. The recycling centre has also created full-time employment for a disabled individual from a disadvantaged background.
The Gold Standard projects selected by Zutari for offsetting purposes reveal its commitment to the continent and its people: The Kenya Biogas Programme supports Kenya’s endeavours to develop a commercially viable biogas sector. It facilitates the funding of biodigesters for families, particularly in rural environments. Domestic biodigesters provide a way for households with livestock to reduce their dependence on polluting firewood and expensive fossil fuels.
In the longer term, Zutari plans to expand the offsetting of the carbon emissions arising from its operations. However, the most significant impact it can have on climate change and the circular economy approach remains through its projects.
“We work as a team, together with our clients, our communities and end users. Our highly skilled and experienced multidisciplinary teams push boundaries to help economies grow. Our projects cross markets, disciplines, and geographies, creating a footprint of impact and engineered solutions that is reframing our world,” comments Zutari CEO Teddy Daka. “We embrace sustainability. It is Zutari’s purpose to co-create an engineered impact that enables environments, communities, and economies to thrive.”
Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually since 1974, World Environment Day has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach, with millions of people from across the world engaging to protect the planet.
Pull quote
“Our projects cross markets, disciplines, and geographies, creating a footprint of impact and engineered solutions that is reframing our world.” – Teddy Daka, CEO, Zutari
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To celebrate #WorldEnvironmentDay #OnlyOneEarth and raise awareness around climate change, #Zutari has purchased carbon offsets from the renowned Gold Standard scheme.
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Notes to the Editor
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About Zutari
As engineering consultants and trusted advisors, Zutari co-creates an engineered impact that enables environments, communities and economies to thrive. Few others can match our local capacity, long-standing presence and understanding of the challenges required to operate successfully across various regions in Africa and the Middle East.
We have created an impact across Africa for almost 90 years (1932 to 2022) and remain committed to this continent, making us the perfect partner to those less familiar with working in Africa. We are experienced in international projects and our Global Design Centres allow us to bring world-class solutions to our clients.
As a private management-owned company, our commitment is true and we have vested interest in our clients’ success. Our strong relationships allow us to connect the right expertise, processes and resources to match client’s needs and bring stakeholders that have shared interests together.
Zutari Contact
Rashree Maharaj
PR and Media Advisor
Email: Rashree [dot] Maharaj [at] zutari [dot] com
Tel: (012) 427 2000
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Account Executive
NGAGE Public Relations
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Email: rachel [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
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