Dutch firm hires Farage as green salesman
FORMER Ukip leader Nigel Farage has been drafted in by a Dutch carbon offsetting firm as an adviser and company spokesman.
Farage will join the advisory board of Dutch Green Business Group, which invests in reforestation projects to reduce carbon emissions and generates returns for its shareholders by selling carbon offsets.
The company said: ‘Nigel’s role is to facilitate introductions to politicians and business leaders in the UK and around the world. Acting as a spokesperson for the business, Nigel will help in bringing DGB’s focus on promoting nature conservation, utilising innovative carbon offsetting schemes, to the attention of the public, investors, governments and other stakeholders.’
The role at DGB Group, which is listed on the Dutch stock exchange, is Farage’s first commercial post since leaving frontline politics last year.
It is estimated that between 10 and 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by forest destruction. DGB’s investments include a plantation of around 15,000 hectares in Sierra Leone.
Chief executive Selwyn Duijvestijn said: ‘Nigel has been one of the most impactful politicians of the last 20 years, generating change and traction with the public and governments. We have not engaged Nigel for his political contacts. We have brought him in because of his unique abilities to communicate relevant ideas to a global audience.’
Farage, 56, started his career in the City as a commodities trader at the London Metal Exchange and was elected as a Euro MP for South East England in 1999. He said: ‘I am very excited to be joining DGB who are on a mission to save our forests, plant millions of trees and harness the burgeoning carbon offset market which is rapidly transforming the financial dynamics of the green arena.
‘I know I can make a real difference to the speed and progress of this ambitious business which is delivering unique, free market, nature-based solutions.’