As part of our Climate Positive Leasing Service, Each time we lease a car or van, we contribute to Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Gold Standard carbon reduction projects to offset the carbon produced during the vehicle's manufacturing process. Additionally, for every electric vehicle leased, we plant 100 trees in the Lease Electric Forest, which helps remove approximately 30 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere for each tree.
Lease Electric has have funded various efforts aimed at renewable energy, deforestation prevention, wetland restoration, and communities around the world. To date, we have contributed to the planting of 31,692 trees and has invested in 52 projects, leading to the avoidance of 7,306.78 tonnes of CO2e. This is equivalent to 5,607 long haul flights (London to San Francisco),
November's Impact
Trees Funded
In November Lease Electric have chosen to fund the planting of trees in Peru.
The Andes are home to Polylepis forests ,unique high-altitude habitats found just below the region’s glaciers. These forests support extraordinary biodiversity and local communities, but decades of deforestation have left them under serious threat.
Across the region, Indigenous communities are working with local tree-planting groups to protect what’s left and restore areas that have been lost. Together, they’re re-establishing native forests, with Polylepis species at the heart of the effort.
Project Challabamba
In November, Lease Electric began supporting Project Challabamba, part of Acción Andinaa five country initiative spanning Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Argentina and 22 different projects, planting native Polylepis species and trees. In November, Lease Electric funded the planting of
Escallonia myrtilloides is an evergreen shrub native to South America’s montane wet forests and páramos. While it’s widely known for its ornamental appeal, thanks to its striking flowers and foliage, its role in Peru is far more meaningful. The plant has long been used in traditional medicine for treating respiratory ailments, its reddish wood is valued for fencing, woodcraft and fuel, and its fast growth and strong root system make it an important species for controlling erosion and stabilising soil.
Projects Supported
Through out November, Lease Electric continued to support the two Verified Carbon Standard, projects we had chosen in February, Protection of the Matavén forest in eastern Colombia and avoiding methane emissions from Landfill in Brazil.
Protection of the Matavén forest in eastern Colombia
Colombia, known for its biodiversity, holds about 10% of the world's species, with the Vichada department facing challenges like deforestation. From 1990 to 2005, it lost 500,000 hectares of forest.
The Matavén REDD+ project protects over 1.15 million hectares of tropical forest, preventing emissions and providing sustainable livelihoods for local farmers. Nearly 16,000 Indigenous people benefit from initiatives that include education, healthcare, and food security. The project, certified by Verra’s Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard, supports biodiversity conservation while benefiting the local community.
Find out more about this project
Avoiding methane emissions from Landfill in Brazil
Brazil is the 5th largest waste producer globally, generating 79.9 million tonnes of municipal solid waste in 2015, equating to 1.071 kg per person daily. Most waste ends up in landfills, releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
The Macaúbas Landfill Gas Project aims to capture and manage landfill gas emissions from the "Central de Tratamento de Resíduos Macaúbas" in Sabará, Minas
Gerais. It involves installing systems for active landfill gas extraction, flaring, and electricity generation. Previously, gas was collected passively, necessitating further investment for enhanced collection and proper flaring.
The project has achieved emission reductions of 102,580 tCO₂e, preventing methane release and generating electricity for the grid, while also creating jobs for qualified operators.
Find out more about this project
Click here to visit the Lease Electric Forest to find out more about the Projects we support