Sabban Property Investments (SPI) has earmarked QR800,000 ($220,000) for three carbon offsetting projects in Uganda, New Zealand and Jamaica.

The three projects comprise the first phase of carbon offsetting activities, which are designed to neutralise the emissions from the construction of the QR1 billion Sabban Towers on The Pearl-Qatar.

The developer’s support in a reforestation project in Uganda, a renewable energy plant in New Zealand and an energy efficiency project covers 25 per cent of the offsetting activities that will make the Sabban Towers, upon completion, the first carbon neutral project in the Middle East.

Located in south-western Uganda, the reforestation project was a primary choice for SPI’s offsetting projects due to the natural capacity of forests to absorb carbon emissions. The Ugandan program aims to restore and protect local habitat and simultaneously support local community development by providing a sustainable timber resource. Farmers can generate income from carbon credit sales and engage in small-scale timber trading, which will reduce the pressure from nearby forest reserves and national parks. Presently in its pilot phase, the reforestation program is based on the plan Vivo system, which is proven for promoting environmental preservation while enabling sustainable livelihood for local communities.

The renewable energy plant in New Zealand reduces carbon emission by replacing energy from burning fossil fuels with the use of abundant wind energy in the North Island of the country. Situated in 1,150 hectares of farmland, it is the country’s first wind farm whose 55 turbines can each generate 1.65 megawatts and supply electricity to 900 homes or in total an average of 45,000 households. The energy plant is classified as a Gold Standard project, which is granted to development projects that ensure rigorous standards, best practices and reduce carbon emissions whilst initiating community development, generating employment and alleviating poverty.

Similarly, the Jamaican project reduces the use of fossil fuels and lessens the carbon footprint by promoting the use of energy-efficient light bulbs, which use a quarter of the electricity and last ten times longer than incandescent bulbs. The project aims to educate the locals on the advantages of energy-efficient light bulbs and use carbon credits to offer discounted light bulbs to hospitality establishments and to distribute for free in poor neighborhoods.

“Global warming is acknowledged to be caused by high carbon emissions, and studies show that carbon emissions are the highest today in over 650,000 years. SPI is trying to reduce its contribution to carbon emissions by supporting environment-friendly construction and is committed to building the first carbon neutral project in the region. We are paving the way for other companies to incorporate the mitigation of environmental impact in their business activities and hoping to maintain our position as a trendsetter in the region,” said John Browne MBE, managing director, Sabban Property Investments.

SPI commissioned The Carbon Neutral Company (TCNC) in 2006 to measure the carbon emissions resulting from construction of the Sabban Towers. The assessment, conducted after initial reduction initiatives, indicated an estimate of 75,900 tonnes of carbon emissions from the construction of the shells of the three towers including its use of energy, shipment of construction materials and other related construction works.

Carbon neutral status or zero carbon emission is achieved by reducing carbon emissions where possible otherwise by offsetting projects that will reduce greenhouse emissions through the utilisation of renewable energy sources and through reforestation projects, which absorb carbon dioxide already in the air, said a statement.

“The success of these projects has been overwhelming, and we hope we can set a new trend and encourage