In a bid to reduce global emissions and restore biodiversity, Menzies Aviation, the leading service partner to the world’s airports and airlines, has committed to fund the planting of 70,000 mangroves as part of the Million Mangroves project.
Run by Climate Impact Partners, specialists in carbon market solutions, the Million Mangroves project aims to deliver mangrove restoration to threatened coastal areas around the world including China, Kenya, Indonesia, and Mexico.
Known as ‘the wonder tree,’ mangroves are estimated to store four times more carbon than a rainforest, making them a highly effective natural climate solution. By storing excess carbon, they help to reduce global warming as there is less carbon dioxide trapped in the atmosphere.
While Menzies works to reduce its own internal emissions, this announcement, which came on World Rewilding Day (20 March), illustrates the company’s commitment to tackling climate change through the removal of carbon from the atmosphere and the restoration of ecosystems.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 14 (conserving life below water) and 15 (protecting and restoring life on land), mangrove regeneration helps to stabilize coastlines, protecting them from storm surges and erosion, and provide homes for many varieties of fish, crab, and shrimp. It forms part of Menzies’ All In plan for a fair and sustainable future, which outlines the company’s goal to reach net-zero across scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2045.
“Menzies’ commitment to building a fair and sustainable future isn’t confined to our operations; we are also passionate about restoring and protecting the environment we live in. With over 35% of the world’s mangroves having been lost since 1980, restoring these ‘wonder trees’ is one of the most effective ways of cutting emissions and supporting biodiversity. We’re proud to work with Climate Impact Partners in support of this wonderful project,” said Katy Reid, head of sustainability and corporate responsibility, Menzies Aviation.
“We are proud to work with companies like Menzies that are taking action today and raising their climate ambitions, highlighting the critical role that corporates play in delivering global climate targets. Funding the regeneration of nature is vital in our global fight against the climate crisis, and the mangrove tree is a particularly powerful tool – sequestering carbon, whilst benefiting biodiversity and communities. Planting 70,000 more of these wonder trees helps to ensure a thriving future for all life on Earth,” added Sheri Hickok, CEO, Climate Impact Partners.
