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Carbon Neutral Brazilian Slate
Independent Slate Supplies announce a Carbon Neutral Slate Range.
The newest additions to our Brazilian range, Pedra Preta and Pedra Leve, are now certified carbon neutral products. Sustainability is a core value of Independent Slate Supplies, and our latest initiative is a testament of this commitment: we have made significant strides towards carbon neutrality by introducing a Brazilian slate that arrives into the UK completely carbon neutral.
What is Carbon Neutral?
Carbon neutral products have a net neutral carbon impact on the environment. This is achieved by calculating the CO₂ equivalent emissions released into the atmosphere and offsetting them.
To make sure a slate is carbon neutral, the carbon footprint is measured. This process examines the life cycle of the slate, energy usage, extraction, and transportation, as well as longevity and waste.
By calculating the carbon footprint, we can identify where we need to mitigate and reduce emissions in future.
Why have we done this?
Carbon neutral products are at the forefront of driving sustainable change for a greener future. The construction industry contributes to climate change, and we are committed to addressing our part in this. As the government ramps up efforts to decarbonise the construction industry by 2050, the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly building materials has never been higher. There is a rising demand from consumers for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for their homes, indicating a sustained drive towards greener energy sources. This growth is attributed to the UK’s journey towards decarbonisation in anticipation of net-zero emissions. Choosing building products with a smaller environmental impact is the obvious choice for both the planet and future generations!
How have we done this?
We have teamed up with ClimatePartner, a leading solutions provider for climate action. ClimatePartner help customers calculate carbon emissions and offset unabated emissions to render products and companies as carbon neutral. ClimatePartner have calculated the carbon emissions for both Pedra Leve and Pedra Preta, in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard (GHG Protocol).
The calculation process focuses on the processes that can be monitored. All greenhouse gases were taken into account for the calculation and are represented in carbon dioxide (CO2e) for improved legibility and comparability.
How do we balance our carbon impact?
Offsetting Project
Through ClimatePartner, Independent Slate Supplies will eliminate our carbon impact by supporting a REDD+ forest protection initiative, located in Cujubim, Brazil. The project is important to ISS as we primarily source natural slate products from Brazil. By participating in this forest protection initiative, we are directly supporting the restoration of Brazilian forests.
Even though our business activity does not directly harm the Rainforest, this project gives back to everyone, both local communities in Brazil and the environment.
Forest Protection project
Cujubim, Brazil
Redd+project
The objective of the forest conservation initiative is to enhance the standard of living by providing social empowerment through educating farmers on sustainable farming techniques and forest preservation.
This project gurantees the long-term preservation of forests and prioritises their protection. Working hand-in-hand with local communities, project participants shield the area against harmful impacts. Carbon storage per hectare in forests varies based on the project’s location. Tropical peat forests, primary rainforests, and mangroves store high levels of carbon in their vegetation and soil.
Our Certification
ClimatePartner provides a label which confirms that carbon emissions have been measured and offset via certified carbon offset projects. ClimatePartner ensure their ‘label guarantees transparency and traceability in Climate Action’ which is important to us at ISS.
The label certifies that a product is carbon neutral, and each product is given a unique ID number with an associated URL that can be used to find out more about the project and the reduction initiatives in place.
Our carbon neutral certification evidences to our customers that every Pedra Leve and Pedra Preta slate has been offset.
Commitments
No Additional Profits
Profits are no longer the sole focus as our company grows. Sustainability becomes equally, if not more important. We are dedicated to ensuring that our carbon neutral range does not result in additional profits. If we happen to exceed our average margins by the end of the year, we pledge to re-invest the surplus into a social project in Brazil and closer to home.
Sustainable Development Goals
Independent Slate Supplies are committed to doing everything it can to be a trailblazer for sustainability within our industry. That is why we are offering slate that not only looks great but also contributes to a better, healthier planet. Our carbon neutral slate is backed by our commitment to sustainable production practices, ensuring all of our processes are as environmentally friendly as possible.
Net zero emissions
Our initial objective is to reach carbon neutrality, and if feasible, transition to net emissions by 2026.
