Technology and innovation company Viper Innovations is leading the way in reducing its carbon footprint and is calling for more UK SMEs to do their bit to combat global warming through carbon offsetting and carbon footprint reduction.
The company is passionate about reaching its goal to become carbon-neutral. To help it achieve this challenge, it has purchased a 31.5-acre plot of land in the village of Stogumber, Somerset. The land comprises 14 acres of existing woodland, which is a mixture of mature and younger trees.
The primary purpose of this land purchase is for carbon sequestration. It is intended that Viper and its employees will act as custodians for the existing woodland and work with the Woodland Trust and Forestry Commission to plant the majority of the remaining 17 acres (7 hectares) with new, mixed deciduous woodland.
To combat climate change, the UK government has established an action plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. As part of that plan, there is an urgent need for tree planting at a rate of 30,000 hectares of land every year.
This land purchase and woodland creation scheme will help Viper in its drive to offset its carbon footprint and its move to net-zero emissions, while at the same time contribute to the overall target set by the UK Government. As a supplier to the subsea oil and gas industry, Viper’s ambitions are also in alignment with the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry which is focused on delivering net-zero targets through the energy transition.
© Supplied by Viper InnovationsEdward Davies, managing director at Viper Innovations, said: “We are thrilled to be custodians of this beautiful woodland in Stogumber. This latest large-scale project will certainly fast-track us to achieving our ambition of becoming carbon neutral and provide us with the opportunity to make a difference to the local environment. The project will also encourage staff participation. Our customers can be reassured that they are choosing a more sustainable supplier.”
It is also proposed that some of the land will be used for forestry research to compare the efficiency of planting versus natural colonisation and used as a case study to show how a business with the right CSR focus can create a significant and positive impact on the environment.
This latest move from Viper follows its on-going commitment to other environmental initiatives such as introducing an electric pool car and energy-saving solar window films at their offices, as well as sponsoring and supporting a local not-for-profit organisation to help reduce the amount of litter reaching surrounding coastlines. Viper’s own products are also positioned as environmental alternatives for the subsea and rail sectors. For example, its award-winning V-LIFE product is an alternative to replacing failing subsea electrical equipment, therefore, helping to avoid subsea intervention and the need for installation vessels that can emit the equivalent of 100 tonnes CO2e in just one day.