Lula Sapphire is proud to be the first carbon neutral mother and baby retailer in the UK. We hope that where we lead, others will follow.
We are intensely aware of our impact on people, society, and the environment. We continually strive to act sensitively in all that we do. Responsible business practice isn’t something we think of only when it’s convenient - it’s integral to our whole philosophy.
Our striking, unique and practical products come from all over the world. Getting them to you requires a complex supply chain and multiple forms of transportation. As such, Lula Sapphire decided to take action and become a Carbon Neutral organisation.
What it means to be Carbon Neutral
Every business contributes to carbon dioxide emissions through its day to day operations. But the increasing level of CO2 is causing climate change, potentially the most serious threat facing the world today.
At Lula Sapphire, we started by identifying our ‘carbon footprint’ - or the approximate volume of CO2 that we generate. This is calculated by assessing energy usage, distribution activities, business travel, and all the other power consuming activities needed to run Lula Sapphire. Next, we looked at how we could reduce our energy use, and therefore this ‘footprint’.
Where our CO2 emissions are unavoidable we ‘neutralise’ them by supporting a range of ‘offset projects’ through The CarbonNeutral Company. These include sustainable forestry and renewable energy projects that will absorb or save the same amount of CO2 emissions that we create.
Offset project 1 – Trees for Global Benefit (Uganda)
Situated in the Bushenyi District in Uganda, the ‘Plan Vivo’ project aims to work with local communities to provide employment and a sustainable timber resource.
Participating farmers receive personalised training to identify tree planting activities that are most suitable for their needs. Once farmers are registered into the project they enter into sale agreements which specify the amount of carbon they will sell and the conditions. The project generates carbon offsets while promoting sustainable land use and improving livelihoods.
Offset Project 2 – Scolel Te Social Forestry Project (Chiapas, Mexico)
Situated in Chiapas the Tzeltal and Tojolobal zones are two of the poorest regions in Mexico. The average wage is below £100 per year leaving families to live in poverty without the vital nutrition, living conditions and education required. The area holds some of the world’s most important rainforests inhabited by a huge range of rare species.
Through The CarbonNeutral Company investors such as Lula Sapphire directly help this community by providing a sustainable income to future generations. Investment in this project enables farmers to plant fruit and nut tree orchards on their land, restoring it to its original forested state. These trees will soak up carbon dioxide to effectively ‘neutralise’ carbon dioxide generating activities.
Offset Project 3 – Wind Power Generation (New Zealand)
Located north of the Manawatu Gorge in the North Island of New Zealand, Te Apiti Wind Farm is situated across 1,150 ha of farmland. It is the first New Zealand wind farm to use megawatt-class machines. Each of the 55 turbines produces 1.65 MW is capable of generating enough power for up to 900 average homes, or up to 45,000 average homes in total for the wind farm. Wind power gives New Zealand greater diversity in electricity generation, and helps reduce greenhouse gas and other harmful emissions.