Bettys boss on mission to help the rainforests
THE chairman of Yorkshire company Bettys & Taylors is spearheading a movement that aims to bridge the gap between business and deforestation.
Jonathan Wild has launched the United Bank of Carbon (UBoC) – a collection of rainforest projects aiming to create collaboration between non government organisations and businesses to help save the rainforests.
The UBoC brokerage offers a ‘bank’ of verifiable projects worldwide from a range of project providers.
Mr Wild said: “Collaboration is the key, businesses coming together to make a real impact. UBoC gives businesses ready-made projects that they can bolt onto – this is not a charity ‘ask’ – and involve their employees so that staff feel like activists not pacifists.”
Speaking of his long term vision for UBoC, Mr Wild said: “It’s all grass roots and micro thinking, looking at the issue of deforestation from the bottom up rather than the top down.
“We will just continue to get more businesses engaged and bridge the gap between business and saving the rainforests. The more we have on board, the more others will follow.”
He added: “The intention is just to get on with it and prove to other businesses the benefits of getting involved. Reducing the impact that your business has on the environment is a global problem, the impact goes much further than your own front door.”
The project works across the world to support indigenous people, including helping to establish their land rights. It is hoped that if the community is cared for it will in turn look after the rainforest it is part of.
Each project is shaped to meet a company’s requirements in order for it to be directly relevant to their organisation.
The movement has also received backing from Professor Piers Forster, director of School of Environmental Sciences, and Leeds University, which screen the projects.
Other Yorkshire firms pledging support include Ilkley-based building services firm NG Bailey and York-based construction, engineering and property development business Shepherd Group.
UBoC’s executive director Mary Rhead-Corr, a former corporate responsibility director at Deloitte, said: “UBoC offers a one-stop shop and immediate access to verified projects. It’s a shop window for businesses to use to find a project that suits them, something they can grow with constant support from our dedicated account managers.
“Often businesses want to get involved but just don’t know where to start and that is where UBoC can help. We can bridge that gap.”
Ms Rhead-Corr said that, through UBoC, businesses can apply business principles to their CSR – the projects report back and are subject to the same financial scrutiny as any other part of the business.
Mr Wild’s vision has received the backing of business advisory firm Deloitte, which has supplied pro bono support to UBoC since June 2008 by seconding David Tiernan and the provision of services including business modelling and taxation.
Deloitte’s help is part of the firm’s commitment to sustainability and the environment. Deloitte has also committed to fund a pilot project through UBoC.
UBoC is now a registered charity.
