The manufacturing sector has a major role to play in combating climate change. This according to T&T Manufacturers' Association (TTMA) president, Greig Laughlin, at the recently concluded greening our industries seminar, held during last months' Trade & Investment Convention 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad hotel. Laughlin spoke at the opening of a two-day series of presentations by local and international speakers covering topics, including renewable energy and sustainable manufacturing, recycling, solar power and much more. Speakers included Stylianos Christopoulos, head of the European Union Delegation.
In a presentation, The West Indian Tobacco Company Ltd showcased a tree-planting exercise the company embarked on in partnership with the Asa Wright Nature Centre. In a statement, TIC organisers said that following an assessment of its carbon emissions, West Indian Tobacco embarked on the initiative as part of the company's overall effort to reduce and neutralise its carbon footprint. The company calculated it would need to plant roughly 6,599 trees, and now reports that it has actually planted 9,000 trees between the Asa Wright estate in Aripo and the Nature Centre.
Healthy tree growth
Last February, company employees visited the nature centre to maintain the trees in an effort to encourage healthy tree growth. Their visit was also to ensure that the trees would not have been heavily affected by the harsh dry season, said Sheldon Taitt, production manager, in the statement. Speaking to a packed audience at the TTMA seminar, Taitt said West Indian Tobacco places high priority on having an integrated management system for environment, health and safety management.
"We believe that companies can also help to protect the environment and positively contribute to communities. Accepting social and environmental responsibilities supports long-term economic performance and makes good business sense," Taitt said. West Indian Tobacco has analysed the potential risks to its business that could stem from changes in climate over the next ten to 20 years, and is using that study to improve and focus its environmental management systems and programmes. They include reducing the company's carbon footprint through energy conservation programmes and investing in energy efficient equipment and processes at its factory.