Australia’s largest online automotive, motorcycle, and marine classifieds business, carsales has announced it has achieved carbon neutrality for its Australian business operations.
The achievement is recognised by the Australian Government’s carbon-neutral certification program, Climate Active. The certification has been achieved through establishing a carbon offsetting strategy as well as a commitment to reduce emissions.
Commenting on the announcement, carsales managing director and CEO, Cameron McIntyre, said: “A fundamental part of being a purpose-led business is to ensure we contribute towards a more sustainable future.
“This certification forms part of our wider Sustainability strategy and demonstrates to our team members, customers and shareholders that we are committed to sustainability. While we still have a lot of work to do we are 100% committed to driving a deeper sustainability agenda through our operations around the world.”
carsales is currently progressing an independent evaluation of its carbon emissions across its Australian and international businesses and developing an emissions reduction strategy that will include reduction targets.
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A part of carsales’ carbon offsetting strategy includes supporting a mix of community, conservation and renewable energy projects proven to deliver social, environmental, economic and cultural benefits to local and international communities.
The projects that carsales is supporting include:
• The Karlantijpa North Savanna Burning project combines traditional knowledge with innovative techniques to reduce emissions associated with savanna fires. In Australia, carsales said it was important to align with a project that provides environmental, cultural, economic and social benefits to the Traditional Custodians of our lands – the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• NIHT Topaiyo REDD+ conserves endangered tropical rainforests in Papua New Guinea, which is Australia’s closest neighbour and a country with whom Australia shares a rich history and strong bilateral relationship.
• Pacajai REDD+ helps to reduce deforestation in the Amazonian rainforests of Brazil. Brazil is a country that carsales has had close ties to since 2013 when it acquired a 30% stake in webmotors, a digital automotive marketplace based in Sao Paolo.
• Midilli Hydroelectric Power Plant project demonstrates carsales’ commitment to supporting low emissions electricity generation. This is important to carsales given the continued rise of electric, hybrid and low emission vehicle sales around the globe and the role that carsales plays in partnering with manufacturers, dealers and consumers as this transformation takes place.