ARQIS reduces the carbon footprint
ARQIS reduces the carbon footprint
We have set out on the path to becoming CO2-neutral.
We obtained a very detailed picture of our carbon footprint for the years 2020 and 2021. In this several-month process we learned a great deal about our carbon emissions, especially the indirect emissions and value chain emissions (also called scope 3 emissions). Our law firm’s total carbon footprint for 2020 and 2021 is exactly 2,649 tonnes of CO2.
This analysis and transparency is just the starting point for ARQIS.
Because we are aware that the focus from now on should be on steadily reducing our carbon footprint. To do this we set up the ARQIS GreenTeam. It brings together many of our law firm’s employees, who have been tasked with designing and developing minor and major improvements that will continuously reduce our footprint.
There is still a long way to go, but ARQIS is committed to its long-term strategy of net zero emissions. Until that objective is achieved, we will continue to compensate for our annual carbon emissions by investing in selected carbon offset projects. In addition to reducing or eliminating carbon emissions, carbon offset projects contribute to the achievement of a range of ecological, economic and social sustainable development goals.
We are currently supporting three projects that completely offset our carbon footprint:
‘GOLDEN COOKSTOVES’ FOR FAMILIES LIVING IN RURAL REGIONS, PERU
This project provides a renewable energy solution for open cookstoves in rural communities in Peru.
The energy-efficient stoves reduce the use of firewood and carbon emissions, as well as lowering the level of air pollution caused by smoke. Around 600,000 people benefit because the stoves reduce the rate of respiratory disease caused by air pollution in their homes from the use of inefficient stoves.
The annual reduction in carbon emissions is 50,000 tonnes2.
CLEAN DRINKING WATER, ZIMBABWE
The project works closely with a local organisation to give rural communities in Zimbabwe access to 11,870 litres of clean drinking water every year.
New water pumps are installed and existing pumps are refurbished, providing local communities with access to a safe and hygienic water supply. The project also helps to reduce dependency on firewood and smoke-related health risks.
An annual reduction of 10,000 tonnes of CO2 is achieved.
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PROJECT, MADAGASCAR
The 20 MW photovoltaic power plant takes advantage of Madagascar’s 3,000 hours of sunlight every year to generate 32,500 MWh of power annually, which saves over 23,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The installation of more than 73,000 PV modules reduces the country’s dependency on energy imports, and that in turn reduces fossil fuel consumption in the country that normally exports the energy to Madagascar.
Over the next century the global economy will depend to a great extent on the removal of CO2 from our atmosphere. For that reason companies will have to increase their carbon offset activities to ensure that we are climate neutral by 2050. If they fail, it will be impossible to achieve the Paris Agreement objectives.
New carbon capture technologies are still at an early stage of development and not yet scalable, which means the price per tonne of CO2 is very high. Investments in these projects are essential to lower the cost curve as quickly as possible.
ARQIS and its GreenTeam will continue to support climate projects that reduce emissions. This is just the beginning of our journey to long-term carbon neutrality.
