The promotion of sustainable development is PEM’s core business, and the commitment to sustainable development is also a core value and part of our identity. Doing so, we contribute to green growth, low-carbon development, and handing over a healthy planet to future generations. However, PEM operates globally, carrying out assignments for a range of international clients in countries all over the world, and as a result frequent air travel is an inevitable part of our operations. PEM is acutely aware that air travel unfortunately is a major source of greenhouse gas emission, contributing approximately two per cent of global carbon emissions. Air travel is by far where PEM has its biggest environmental and climate-related footprint. Hence, since PEM cannot avoid air travel, we commit ourselves to offset our carbon emissions as the second-best option to act as a responsible firm. Our carbon offsetting scheme is two-pronged in order to maximise its positive impact: a) we utilise the airlines’ own carbon compensation schemes when carbon offsetting can be purchased as part of the ticket, and b) we bring our professional expertise and international network into play with the PEM Carbon Partnership, launched in connection with PEM’s 25-year anniversary in 2020.
PEM Carbon Partnership
PEM prioritises carbon offsetting that has both socio-economic and environmental co-benefits, investing in effective and well-managed carbon offsetting initiatives with low transaction costs. The financial contribution is determined on the basis of PEM’s air travel carbon emissions (the estimated emissions in 2018 were 138 tonnes) and the cost per metric tonne of emission based on information from international carbon offsetting schemes such as MyClimate – our current estimate is EUR 20-25 per tonne of CO2 equivalent. The annual contribution in 2020-2022 will be DKK 25,000.
BirdLife Denmark (Dansk Ornitologisk Forening)
Increasing and maintaining forests is a fundamental solution to climate change since forests act as a carbon sink for greenhouse gas emissions. Apart from playing an integral role in the carbon cycle, forest also regulate ecosystems, protect biodiversity, support livelihoods and can help drive sustainable growth. Climate change has a negative impact on birds, but conservation and nature-based solutions can reduce climate risks and build resilience for birds and people. The PEM Carbon Partnership supports the program Integrating Livelihoods and Conservation People Partner with Nature for Sustainable Living (PPN) 2018-2021, which aims at sustainable and participatory forest management while building climate change resilience around Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. The programme, with a budget of DKK 15.750 million, is implemented by the organisation BirdLife Denmark and focuses on the protection of birds and their natural habitats in collaboration with governments, local conservation groups and communities.