Firm in bid to save rainforests

12/03/2010

The head of Yorkshire company Bettys & Taylors is aiming to bring non-government organisations and businesses together in a bid to help save rainforests.
Chairman Jonathan Wild launched a collection of rainforest projects called the United Bank of Carbon (UBoC). It offers a 'bank' of verifiable projects across the world from a range of project providers.
He said: "Collaboration is the key, businesses coming together to make a real impact. UBoC gives businesses ready-made projects that they can bolt onto - this is not a charity 'ask' - and involve their employees so that staff feel like activists not pacifists."
The project works to support indigenous people across the world, including helping to establish their land rights. It is hoped that the communities will look after the rainforests they live in, if they are cared for.
Each project is drawn up to meet a firm's requirements in order for it to be directly relevant to their organisation.
Mr Wild said of his long-term vision for UBoC: "It's all grass roots and micro thinking, looking at the issue of deforestation from the bottom up rather than the top down.
"We will just continue to get more businesses engaged and bridge the gap between business and saving the rainforests. The more we have on board, the more others will follow."
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