Toyota South Africa recognised at Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen

Toyota South Africa recognised at Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen




Toyota South Africa was recognised for its role in the Climate Change Programme in Zambia, a project initiated by the Peace Parks Foundation (PPF), at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark (from 7-18 December 2009).

The main aim of this project, also known as the Carbon Project, is to research ways to facilitate payment for carbon emission reductions generated through additional sequestration, avoided deforestation and fire management initiatives within trans-frontier conservation areas in sub-Saharan Africa.

During the Toyota Conservation Outreach in September last year Toyota SA supplied two diesel Land Cruisers – a 4.2 liter Pick-up and Station wagon – to the PPF to conduct initial research for the Climate Change Programme in Zambia.

This extensive biomass survey, as well as community workshops, lasted almost a year, after which the laborious processing of collected data commenced in all earnest.

The year was concluded by the United Nations Reduced Emissions from Degradation and Deforestation (UN REDD) Participants’ Consultative Meeting in Lusaka. The PPF assisted in arranging the meeting on behalf of the Zambian Department of Forestry.

PPF also secured observer status to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in early December. This enabled the Climate Change team to table a UN REDD paper on its work in Zambia. Toyota South Africa was specifically recognised for its support for this venture.

“Thanks to Toyota and the Land Cruisers we have been able to conclude the initial part of our project in time to compile a report for the UN Climate Change Conference,” said Fuller.