Bendigo and Adelaide Bank hits major milestone with Greenfleet
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has recently reached a major donation milestone with non-for-profit carbon offset provider, Greenfleet.
Over half a million dollars has been donated over the lifetime of the eight-year partnership, which helps the Bank to offset its carbon footprint at the same time as helping the country’s natural habitat survive and thrive.
The partnership, which started in 2014, has contributed to nearly 120,000 trees being planted while supporting several other biodiverse revegetation programs across the country.
CEO and Managing Director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Marnie Baker said the Bank’s key sustainability target for keeping its business travel emissions at 25 percent below 2018/19 levels has ensured we remain focussed on reducing our travel emissions and our partnership with Greenfleet was a meaningful way for us to offset the remaining emissions.
“At Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, we are committed to doing our part to build a more sustainable future – and our partnership with Greenfleet is part of this commitment,” Ms Baker said.
“Contributing $512,068 to Greenfleet in eight years has seen us offset 32,137 tonnes of carbon emissions though the planting of native biodiverse forests in Australia to capture these carbon emissions and help fight the impacts of climate change.
“The forests Greenfleet have planted for the Bank are legally protected for up to 100 years, conserving biodiversity and restoring habitat for wildlife for decades to come.
“Our relationship with Greenfleet extends beyond financial support with our staff volunteering their time to help with the planting, getting their hands dirty and experiencing the regenerative activity firsthand.
“We are Australia’s most trusted bank and remain focussed on our purpose of feeding into the prosperity of the community, and not off it. We value our partnership with Greenfleet, as they help us offset our emissions at the same time as restoring our local environment,” Ms Baker concluded.
This year’s donation of $28,627.60, determined by the Bank’s business travel emissions for 2021/22, has contributed to the Noosa Restoration and Reconciliation Project – a project which will restore 1,100 hectares of native biodiverse forest in the Noosa Hinterland over the next four years.
The Noosa Restoration and Reconciliation Project is being carried out in partnership with the Traditional Owners of the Sunshine Coast Region, the Kabi Kabi people, delivering social and cultural benefits for the Traditional Owners.
The project will include the sequestering up to 700,000 tonnes of carbon emissions through this native ecosystem restoration, with the reforestation also restoring vital koala habitat and facilitate greater koala movement across the landscape.
Greenfleet CEO, Wayne Wescott said Bendigo and Adelaide’s Bank’s contribution to Greenfleet has helped offset thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions.
“We all have a role to play in climate action and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has been working with Greenfleet to offset thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions, directly enabling ecosystem restoration right here in Australia,” Mr Wescott said.
“The forests Greenfleet is planting for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank are legally protected for up to 100 years. This means conserving biodiversity and creating habitat for critically endangered native wildlife. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s leadership in taking real climate action will deliver long-term environmental impact and should be applauded.”
For more information on what Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is doing on climate change action.
