KARACHI – Engro Polymer & Chemicals Limited (EPCL), a subsidiary of Engro Corporation, has achieved its first ever carbon-neutral voyage on the ethylene-laden vessel Gaschem Dollart, in collaboration with Marubeni Corporation.
For this carbon-neutral voyage, EPCL secured Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) carbon credits, the highest standard available on the market, proportionate to the emissions caused by the vessel journey. The funds used to purchase these carbon credits are being utilized to support the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve, a REDD+ standard project in Indonesia. This is the first and only REDD+ project so far that contributes to all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainability Goals, including reforestation, protection of endangered wildlife, as well as providing clean water, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities to local communities of the area.
According to Jahangir Piracha, CEO of Engro Polymer & Chemicals, “Under the sustainability agenda, EPCL is working on three areas, including carbon reduction and offset, resource conservation, and circular plastics. This maiden carbon-neutral voyage is part of our commitment to minimize environmental impact and ensure end-to-end sustainable business operations.”
The carbon-neutral voyage is also gold-certified under Climate, Community, and Biodiversity (CCB) standards, set by leading international NGOs such as CARE and Conservation International, that aim to simultaneous address climate change, support local communities and smallholders, and conserve biodiversity.