It is no longer disputed that forests have a massive role to play in countering global
warming. Trees help absorb much of the pollution that we create by absorbing CO2,
one of the worst greenhouse gases.
Many forests today are cut down as the trees are very valuable when they reach
maturity. According to the European Commission, about a fifth of the timber imported
into Europe could have been illegally logged. Commercial plantations are completely
different; firstly primary forest is never destroyed to make way for the new plantation;
as the land that Living Investments uses is normally pasture or once-barren land.
The trees are planted in countries where forestry is an important aspect of the economy.
The trees are recorded by the Government in a central register and responsible
governments often provide small grants to help foresters develop the forest. This
registration of the trees is essential as without it a felling licence will often not be
granted by the Government and the trees will have no value. We provide copies of this
registration to all of our clients so that they can be assured that all the legal processes
have been correctly followed.
Living Investments aims to be eco-friendly as well as supplying employment to local
people at above average wages – and often housing too. We also give our employees
long-term contracts so they can feel secure about their lives.
All crops are grown as organically as possible and forestry engineers of the highest
calibre are employed to use the most modern methods that benefit the land the most.
Some of our workers who live in the plantations can plant small vegetables and crops
between the trees for their own consumption and to trade in the local community.
This we actively encourage, providing land free of charge which enforces the point that
they are true custodians of the land. Sometimes we are asked why we do not do this
commercially and run a true agro-forestry business, but machinery is prohibited as it could
damage the growing trees, and this makes such a business impossible. Instead we are
satisfied when our employees are able to make use of the land.
Planting trees in this way helps to offset the illegal logging that is still prevalent in
many parts of the world.