Canon South Africa has partnered with Carbon Neutral Group to offset its carbon emissions and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Canon is working with the Carbon Neutral Group to get its sustainability project, the CANON Segametsi SOLAR Light Project, registered as a carbon project, says Iza Daly, sustainability manager: sustainability group at Canon SA.
The process to register the project as a carbon project will take about two to three years, notes Cannon.
Once registered, it will allow Canon to offset more carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), and give further impetus to its drive towards carbon neutrality, it says.
The solar lighting project is a joint initiative between Canon SA and the non-profit organisation Segametsi Hope SA, which seeks to install solar lighting solutions into three million households in Africa.
"Our solar lighting project has tremendous potential to reduce energy consumption while benefiting previously disadvantaged communities, says Daly.
"The process of generating electricity is harmful to the environment. By using less electricity we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions which impact the environment."
According to The Carbon Report, due to its reliance on coal, South Africa ranks among the dirtiest energy producers in the world. As a country, it contributes 1.1% to global emissions and rank 18th on the global emission list.
The South African government has committed to an emission reduction of 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025.
This is an aggressive target when seen in the context that 25% of the population is still in energy poverty, says The Carbon Report.
All businesses in SA need to be engaged in the challenge of how they can transition to a low carbon economy, it adds. "The transition to a low carbon future is inevitable and those that manage this risk proactively will be better geared for this emerging economy."
Daly says the Canon's goal is to become a carbon neutral business.
Daly says Canon succeeded in offsetting 365 tonnes of CO2e equalling 15% of its carbon emissions in 2015 - allowing the company to purchase carbon credits to offset against the business's travel carbon footprint.
Daly says the company hopes to offset 500 tonnes of CO2e this year.
Oc'e SA says increased sensitivity to environmental concerns is a growing priority among the world's leading companies.
In an increasingly global economy, no company can afford to ignore the environmental impact of business, especially when efficient environmental management can have a positive impact on the bottom line, it adds.
And as more customers demand that business partners prove they are sustainable, green business is becoming good business, notes Oc'e SA.
However, Daly says most companies meet budget constraints when becoming green. "To offset carbon is quite expensive and to implement projects also requires budget availability."
Sustainability initiatives, whether focused on environmental or social projects or campaigns, remain a cost to businesses, she adds.
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