Bogawantalawa achieves uncompensated climate positive status
Going beyond the carbon neutral status, Bogawantalawa achieves the next milestone in its sustainability agenda by becoming the ‘World’s First Tea Growing, Manufacturing and Marketing Company Offering Uncompensated Climate Positive Teas certified for product and facility’.
As a leader in environmental sustainability, Bogawantalawa is causing a transformational shift in the tea industry. The company has placed great emphasis on striving for a systematic and progressive change from a traditional system to a low emission/carbon-neutral pathway.
This has been achieved through three major transformative strategies which are Carbon Reduction, Carbon Offsetting and Mainstreaming Sustainable Climate Actions via research, new interventions and through their sustainable environmental management aspects.
Today, Bogawantalawa is not only ‘Carbon Neutral’ but also ‘Climate Positive’. This achievement has been attained by fulfilling the requirements of the Climate Positive Certification system by adopting the Product CFP protocol - PAS 2050 and Organisation CFP Protocol of ISO 14064 -1:2006. Scope was the cradle of plantation to shipping point of marketing division. All emission sources were considered to cover tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 emission sources. Balance sheets were verified and certified by the Sri Lanka Climate Fund, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment of Sri Lanka.
In addition to this Bogawantalawa was also awarded the certification for ‘Net Zero Energy’. The company fulfills its Net Zero Energy consumption by harnessing its own renewable energy through solar and hydropower projects. Their next target milestone is to sink 300g of CO2 equivalent, per production of one kilogram of made tea by 2023.
Both certifications were awarded by The Sri Lanka Climate Fund at premises of Ministry of Power, Energy and Business Development presented by Dr. B.M.S. Batagoda, The Director of Sri Lanka Climate Fund and also served as The Secretary, The Ministry of Power, Energy and Business Development in the presence of G.A.M.C. Ariyathilaka, The Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Climate Fund and the Certification Executives of Sri Lanka Climate Fund.
True to the motto of being ‘Passionate Growers with sustainability at heart’, Bogawantalawa had begun its efforts for this achievement nine years ago. This was possible by transforming their way of life and operations and by maintaining a balance between economic successes while preserving the environment and combating climate change.
Sustainability, Research and Development Director Thusitha Bandara said: “Climate is being changed around us faster than predicted. From more frequent and extreme weather events, we’re feeling the impacts of human-caused global warming. But we still have time to change course. We need urgent and ambitious action at every level to address climate change at every step of the supply chain, from fossil fuels, fertilisers, pesticides, electricity, packing materials, water, and other inputs and green their investments using their unique influence to drive change and make an impact. Green initiatives play a key role in achieving the overall sustainability goals of the company. We pursue the knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and practices, which can help to protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations. Bogawantalawa takes a 3,600 approach on its climate smart agricultural activities by focusing on areas such as carbon footprint, waste and water footprints, climate action, renewable energy, energy management, plantation forestry, social and conservation forestry, organic farming, sustainable soil development, work toward nature, flora and fauna, bio fertiliser and eco-designing etc.”
Dr. B.M.S. Batagoda said: “Protecting mother nature is the responsibility of every human being. Protecting the atmosphere which regulates the climate system for us to survive is one of the noble duties of every one of us. The contribution of one individual to protect the climate system can be very trivial. However, with the little contribution of all of us we can make a big difference. I am proud to say that Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC is one of such corporates which tries to do their part to protect the mother nature by protecting the climate system. Sri Lanka Climate Fund has assessed sustainable criteria in five wider areas and awarded the Climate Positive Status to the Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC.
Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC is the first certified company under the Net Zero Energy Facility certification system which was recently launched by Sri Lanka Climate Fund. I wish all the other corporates, agencies and individuals would take Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC as an example and make every effort to protect mother nature.”
Along with environmental sustainability initiatives, Bogawantalawa continues to invest in developing the estate community as well. A more focused approached has been taken to improve nutrition, livelihood and income by introducing organic vegetable gardens, income generating projects, water, sanitation, hygiene, medical care, woman empowerment projects and community development programmes.
Group Chairman Dinesh Ambani said: “Sustainability is in our DNA and we take pride in these efforts being monitored and recognised creating a new direction for the industry which undoubtedly is the way forward.”
Bogawantalawa has always been well known as the ‘Golden Valley of Ceylon Tea’, since 1869. The terroir and the unique microclimatic conditions lend to making it such. With great heritage and tremendous passion Bogawantalawa is dedicated to offer uncompensated climate positive teas of the finest quality.