Ovo Energy launches C02 saving initiative
30,000 BRITS are now the proud guardians of an acre of Amazon rainforest each as a result of a unique initiative launched by Ovo Energy to halt climate change.
The rainforest rescue scheme sees the newcomer to the energy industry prevent the release of more CO2 into the atmosphere per customer in one single action than any other energy provider. The initiative is the first of its kind and has been spearheaded in partnership with Europe’s fastest growing environmental charity Cool Earth.
Each acre of rainforest protected will prevent a staggering 260 tonnes in CO2 emissions. The average household emits around 11 tonnes of CO2 per year. With 30,000 customers, this means Ovo is currently protecting an area of endangered rainforest the size of Manchester, preventing the release of nearly 8 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. That’s around the same amount of CO2 that would be saved by putting solar panels on every household in Britain.
Every time a new customer switches to Ovo, another acre is protected in their name.
The first of its kind partnership has been praised by one of the UK’s best loved scientists; grandfather of green, Professor James Lovelock: “It’s great to see an energy company taking a global approach to climate change.”
Cool Earth director, Matthew Owen, said; “Ovo really do get the issue. Backing up affordable energy in the UK with a huge commitment to protecting rainforest means every single Ovo customer is helping in the fight against climate change.”
The scheme is part of Ovo’s commitment to being CHEAPER, GREENER, SIMPLER. Half the six pounds per acre cost is met by the company and the other half – just 25 pence per month – is already built in to the company’s great value tariffs.
Each customer receives a personalised certificate with details of where their acre is. Typically each acre contains around 44 mature trees, 6 endangered species and 11,000 species of insect and worm. In phase two of the initiative customers will be able to log into their Ovo account, check their bill and take a virtual tour of their rainforest plot, all at the same time.
Ovo customer, Maria Guest, from Southampton, has already received her rainforest acre. She said: “We’re so pleased we switched to Ovo. It’s great to know we’re not only saving money but that we’re doing something really practical to help save the environment too.
“I think most of us want to be greener but we don’t get around to it because it usually costs so much more. But Ovo automatically protects an acre of rainforest on your behalf whether you opt for their 100 per cent green tariff or just their standard plan. And we love the idea that together with all Ovo’s other customers we’re making a real impact.”
The initiative is committed to protecting rainforest that is in imminent danger and which, without intervention, would be cut down for timber or burnt to make way for crops. Rainforest that forms a protective blockade for tens of thousands of acres of adjacent forest is a priority.
The scheme protects the rainforest by working with local communities to make sure it’s worth more standing than cut down. An example of one of the community projects in the area protected by Ovo customers is the building of a fish farm to be run by local children and their school teachers. For more information visit ovoenergy.com/coolearth
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Ovo Energy’s managing director, believes he’s enabling his customers to do something extraordinary; “As an energy supplier, we have a responsibility to think about our effect on the planet. So what Ovo is doing in partnership with Cool Earth, is harnessing the power of our customers and using it to make the most significant positive impact on our environment that we could find possible. Will our customers approve of their rainforest acre? We think so.”