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Private sector joins the fight against deforestation in China

Updated: 2012-07-12 20:33
( chinadaily.com.cn)

Mazars commits 5,000-tree forest to hold back desertification in Inner Mongolia

During preparations for their 2010 AGM in Prague, International audit and advisory firm Mazars made the decision to measure the carbon footprint of the event.

The meeting was attended by Partners coming from all over the world, so energy consumption caused by flights alone was set to be considerable. At the AGM, the Group decided that as part of their social responsibility, efforts would be made to compensate for the carbon "costs" the event caused to the environment (transportation, accommodation, water, electricity, paper, etc.).

The decision was made to support the "Million Tree Project" which aims to slow the desertification coming through Inner Mongolia at an alarming rate, affecting towns and cities in China, including the capital, Beijing.

Unsustainable farming practices and climate change have turned the land in and around Kulun Qi, (塔敏查干沙漠) Tongliao Municipality, Inner Mongolia from workable farm land to desert and the area is still expanding rapidly. Sandstorms have destroyed local homes and forced many people to flee.

Mazars Beijing Senior Founding Partner, Thierry Labarre says "We've all seen how badly Beijing is affected with sand storms. The desert is a problem that has consumed about 1/3 of China's landscape and each spring it spreads further and further. The Million Tree project aims to reforest the area, revitalize the land and block the sandstorms and Mazars has committed funds to plant 5,000 trees. This project also meets our objective to compensate for the firm's carbon footprint by capturing CO2."

Engaging the decision makers of the future

"As well as planting trees we plan to meet the local population and engage with young students in local schools to raise awareness about sustainable development issues all over the world and to encourage them to continue the work in their area. These children are the decision makers of the future and by educating them we believe they will make the right decisions for the environment in the future."

"Each tree we plant clears the air of 250 kilograms of CO2

over the course of its life."

Thomas Granjard, Mazars Sustainable Development Coordinator

Thomas Granjard, Mazars Sustainable Development coordinator, says "The 5,000 trees we are funding will help replenish 13,333 m². of land that has become desert. The objective is to return the land to local farmers and educate them on how to use sustainable farming techniques. Farmers are licensed to harvest trees that have reached maturity on the condition they replant. They can also inter-plant crops for extra income which further improves biodiversity."

"Each tree we plant clears the air of 250 kilograms of carbon dioxide* over the course of its life. A forestry manager, local farmers and tree planters help monitor the soil and maintain the trees growth. And along the way, GPS technology will allow us to monitor and view the progress of the 5,000 trees, which will form the Mazars Forest"

Positive effects for biodiversity

Natasha Pei, coordinator at Shanghai Roots and Shoots and manager of the Million Tree Project, says "We plant on average 1,500 trees per hectare so our target of a million trees will restore just over 666 hectares of land, 6.6 million m², or around 1,000 soccer fields."

Since the project started in 2007, nearly 620,000 poplar, pine and yellow horn trees have been planted. All have high survival rates for the harsh conditions and after just 3 years, we see positive effects for the areas biodiversity. New trees pull the groundwater up to the surface to replenish the soil, provide shade for smaller shrubs to grow and a habitat for the returning wildlife such as birds and rodents.

Staff hands on involvement

Mazars led an internal environmental awareness campaign which included a contest opened to all staff in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou offices and 8 colleagues have been selected to participate in tree planting and interaction with local students in Inner Mongolia during April 20th – 23rd.

Private sector has a role to play

While there are different ways to calculate compensation for a carbon footprint, Thierry Labarre believes the firm's actions will help send a message. "Sustainable development issues are part of the China Government's 12th 5-year plan and they have already ploughed millions into initiatives. We believe the private sector must also play a part and this is why we're involved."

Mazars has developed the MISDA (Mazars Indicators for Sustainable Development Audit), a set of indicators and audit guidance which includes 3 areas not covered by "traditional" financial audit: social compliance, risks monitoring and respect for the environment. Labarre concludes "This applies not only to our clients but also to ourselves. We have audited our offices in China according to the MISDA methodology for 2 years now and will continue to do so in the coming years".

"Our efforts will show employees and clients that the company cares about its environmental impact. We also hope it will encourage both individuals and corporations to take environmentally friendly actions."

The Trees

Mazars are funding poplar trees, chosen specifically because they are fast-growing and resistant to the environment. They are a hybrid of indigenous Inner Mongolian poplars, mixed with poplars from North America. Rather than planting directly in the desert sand dunes, the trees are planted on borders that are in the process of being degraded, to keep the desert from spreading further and to protect the neighbouring area as a wind barrier.

Mazars CSR record

In Asia-Pacific, Mazars have initiated a variety of CSR projects, including another tree planting project in Indonesia. The firm is also supporting Couleurs de Chine who helps in the education of girls in the ethnic minorities living in the Great Miao mountains.

In 2011, Mazars merged with Starling resources a sustainability expert specialising in protecting natural resources, conservation issues, ecosystems and environmental habitats. The new firm, named Mazars Starling Resources, assists clients with sustainability related business issues.

The Million Tree Project is managed by the Roots and Shoots the organization pioneered by Dr. Jane Goodall, UN Spokeswoman and African animal and environmental expert.

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