TEWAKA, an award winning 100 per cent locally owned and operated tourism transport and destination management services company launched its Carbon Footprint Offset activity.

The team in partnership with the Ministry of Forestry planted 800 mangrove seedlings at the Natabua foreshore in Lautoka, yesterday.

Managing Director, James Sowane stated that offsetting the company’s carbon footprint from its fleet emissions was 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 that equates to our offset-requirement to plant over 500 mangrove seedlings,” said Mr. Sowane.

Since the re-opening of borders on December 1, 2021 and with the number of tourist transport the company is servicing in 2022, Mr. Sowane is anticipating for the company’s CO2 emissions to be more than double to that of 2021.

“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 off-set our carbon footprint,” he added.

TEWAKA is an iTaukei word which means, “To grow/expand” with the mangrove plants as its logo.

“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,” Mr. Sowane said.

Mr. Sowane acknowledges the support of the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Forestry Pene Baleinabuli and his team for being supportive towards the TEWAKA team’s initiative.

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