TEWAKA, an award-winning 100% Fijian-owned and operated tourism transport and destination management services company launched their Carbon Footprint Offset activity with the support of the Ministry of Forestry by planting 800 mangrove seedlings at the Natabua foreshore in Lautoka, today.
Managing Director, James Sowane stated that offsetting the company’s carbon footprint from its fleet emissions is an ongoing and long-term commitment as part of its environmental protection strategy. “We calculated our carbon-dioxide emission in 2021 to be close to 150,000kg which equates to our offset requirement to plant over 500 mangrove seedlings,” said Sowane.
Since the re-opening of borders on 1st December 2021 and with the level of tourist transport the company is servicing in 2022, Sowane is anticipating for the company’s CO2 emissions to be more than double that of 2021 and stated, “we are committed to doing our part for the sustainable preservation of our fragile environment and we aim to plant the required quantity of mangrove seedlings before the end of the year to offset our carbon footprint.”
TEWAKA is a Fijian word that means, “to grow/expand” and the company logo is themed on mangrove plants. “Mangroves are the nursery of marine life, they represent strength and resilience plus they absorb and store carbon long-term making them a critical solution in the fight against climate change,” added Sowane.
Sowane acknowledges the support of Mr Pene Nonu, Permanent Secretary for Fiji’s Ministry of Forestry and his team who have been very supportive of enabling the TEWAKA team to undertake the first of its many mangrove planting activities.
