Known for producing some of the most exquisite roses and summer flowers from Kenya, and for its efforts in implementing the sustainability cause in its flower production, grower Sian Flowers just received the Carbon Net Zero Certification. This is a recognition given to businesses that have neutralized their climate impact by reducing emissions in line with global standards and compensating for any residual emissions through investment into accredited carbon offset initiatives.
In realizing this feat, Sian partnered with One Carbon World, a United Nations-approved partner in carbon emissions measurements and credits. This carbon-neutral not-for-profit organization offers advice and support on measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions around the world.
This is how the flower enterprise that has four farms in Kenya achieved this.
Sian Flowers Has Always Had a Commitment to Sustainability
At Sian Flowers, sustainability is fundamental and is anchored at the core of every strategy and decision-making. As a company, Sian has over the years taken several measures toward the reduction of its greenhouse emissions and its carbon footprint.
With the ever-changing climate and the ever-looming threat to the survival of the planet, Sian’s Director, Chris Kulei notes that it is the responsibility of every individual and organization to re-think their exploitation of natural resources as well as waste generation and management.
Emissions of greenhouse gases have increased alarmingly in the last half-century contributing to serious global warming. And since the international deadline for companies to be at net zero on carbon emissions is 2050, to achieve this vision and goal, such sustainability initiatives and actions must start now.
Chris explains:
“To achieve our goal of achieving net zero on carbon emissions, measurement of our impacts in an objective and proven methods is paramount. Accordingly, Sian collaborated with One Carbon World to map our activities and measure the carbon footprint from processes across our facilities. As a result, we are proud to announce that our emissions have been successfully measured and we have received the Carbon net zero certification.”
What Did Sian Do to Attain This Certification?
Peter Cheserem, another Director at the flower enterprise outlines the measures that the flower business took towards being certified as carbon net zero. These processes, Peter says, were all deliberately aimed at cutting the flower business’ carbon emissions.
The company identified the significant environmental effects and impacts emanating from its current and other previous relevant activities and services and, wherever it had direct control or could be expected to have an influence, it implemented a suitable environmental management mechanism.
Peter says:
“We minimized and - where reasonably practicable - eliminated any adverse impacts of our business activities on the environment. We also checked the use of energy, resources consumed, and waste produced while undertaking our business activities in a safe and professional manner.”
The company also has and continues to support the reduction, reuse, and recycling of all materials and ensure the appropriate disposal of all waste coming from the activities of the business.
Sian, Peter says, also complies with all the legal requirements and where appropriate goes beyond compliance with the minimum environmental requirements of legislative bodies and its customers.
Chris adds that they also make appropriate resources available to manage the environment and ensure human resource roles, responsibilities, and authorities are defined. This means that all staff whose work may create a significant impact on the environment are provided with adequate and appropriate information and training, and are competent in environmental matters.
Chris:
“We basically inform and train our staff in understanding and fulfilling their environmental obligations, as we strive to ensure zero air, water, and soil pollution incident targets. In this endeavor, we generally use efficient technologies, approaches, and environmental awareness training.”
In addition, the flower company has established and continually measures its environmental performance against its objectives and targets, and regularly reviews its environmental management systems at the senior management level with a view to always improving its environmental performance.
Sustainability Initiatives and Measures Put in Place
To maintain its carbon-neutrality initiative, Sian has set up a number of projects that are geared towards sustainability. It, for instance, has installed solar energy in all its farms. These installations ensure that there is an adequate supply of clean energy.
Sian has also adopted and now implements Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a part of its Integrated Crop Management (ICM) approaches in growing flowers on all its farms. These practices ensure there is minimal use of harmful and hazardous chemicals in the flowers’ production.
In addition, the company is getting into sea freight for the shipping of its flowers to international markets. This reduces carbon emissions by roughly 85%.
It has also adopted efficient pumping with the use of variable speed drive (VSD) pumps. These pumps are energy-efficient and thus significantly reduce carbon emissions. Plus, they cut maintenance costs by reducing the electrical and mechanical stress on motors and driven equipment.
The flower company also supports and continues to put more investment into planting trees and increasing vegetation cover. This helps in growing the capacity for carbon sequestration.
As the demand for sustainably grown flowers and plants increases, and consumers and businesses constantly seek to ensure that sustainability measures are in place throughout the flowers’ entire value chains, Sian’s foresight and forward-thinking continue to see the company better its sustainability benchmarks.
After all, the global trends today, and the ever-looming effects of climate change necessitate that all individuals and businesses comply with these requirements.
Photos: Sian Flowers
