Document management and imaging software author, Version One, have been Tree Appeal partners since October 2006 and have planted 3500 trees to date. Working with Tree Appeal, Version One plants a tree for every software purchase, proving that they are a company who are committed to giving something back to the environment.
Julian Buck, General Manager of Version One, says, “Our involvement with Tree Appeal is a fundamental part of our green initiative. This initiative is vital for improving our environmental credentials and proving that as a paperless office software provider we are green with our actions as well as our words.” By making tree planting integral to their business, Version One are adding instant value to their products and services, enabling their customers to make a tangible difference to the natural world.
All of the trees sponsored by Version One are planted into schools across the UK, where they fulfil the important role of acting as a fantastic learning resource for the younger generation. Sponsoring trees into schools not only benefits the environment but gives Version One a medium through which to actively engage with local communities.
On a sunny day in June, Version One’s PR Manager, Liz Ebbrell, took time out of her busy schedule to attend a Tree Appeal planting event, along with Professor David Bellamy. This gave her the opportunity to meet some of the grateful recipients of sponsored trees.
Liz said, "Spending the time at a school which is directly benefiting from donated trees has put a whole new perspective on Version One's green initiative.” The event took place at West London Academy in Northolt, where five feature trees were planted in the school’s outdoor learning environment, Academy Fields. The planting was presided over by a hungry kestrel, which hovered above the site whilst everyone got stuck into digging! Its presence there was evidence that voles and other small mammals are residing in the grounds and will find shelter from these birds of prey in the existing and new trees.
As Professor Bellamy pointed out to the children, trees do something useful every second of their long lives and for Version One, the experience was a real eye-opener as to the rewarding benefits of tree planting.
Liz concluded, “I knew our company's involvement with Tree Appeal was worthwhile but, until today, I didn't have first hand experience of the organisation's great work. I can now remember children's smiling faces, the teachers' enthusiasm about the school's tree planting project and David Bellamy's passion for biodiversity - this is now what I consider Version One's work with Tree Appeal to be all about."
Computers for Africa
Every 100 trees planted by Version One sponsors the shipping of ten refurbished computers to Africa. The constant replacement of technology in Western society means that perfectly functioning computers very quickly become obsolete. These computers make a life changing addition to African communities, with each computer giving one hundred underprivileged children an invaluable grounding in computer skills.
The computers are sent to Africa by Computer Aid International, a UK charity who aim to reduce poverty through practical IT solutions. Computer Aid work in partnership with Tree Appeal, helping socially responsible companies to make a difference globally, as well as at home. Maurizio Borgatti of Compter Aid, told us “These computers are contributing to the education of a generation of African children, ensuring that their future educational and professional prospects are enhanced, and allowing them to reach their full potential in life.”
By sponsoring these computers, Version One have made a significant difference to the lives of these African children, as well as dramatically extending the life of redundant PCs. Maurizio added, “The opportunity to work in partnership with organisations such as Version One and Tree Appeal means we can continue to make a massive difference to the lives of marginalised children and communities across the developing world. It is difficult to overstate the value and importance of the PCs that Version One are sponsoring, and they will all be of immense value in areas where educational resources are a scarce commodity.”
In the past year alone, Version One have planted 500 trees and the latest batch of 50 computers will soon be making their way across the world.
Following the West London Academy tree planting, Liz Ebbrell joined Tree Appeal and Professor Bellamy for a visit to the Computer Aid premises. Here Maurizio and his colleagues explained more about the process of delivering computers to Africa. During the visit, Liz and Tree Appeal were lucky enough to meet the dedicated team of volunteers who ensure that all donated computers are completely data wiped and refurbished before they are sent to their new homes. Following the visit, Liz said, "Tree Appeal's work with Computer Aid is commendable. It's a fantastic charity and having had the pleasure of seeing Computer Aid's premises and hearing all about their extremely worthwhile work, I am proud that Version One is involved with shipping refurbished computers to developing countries."
GREEN IT AWARD
Version One have recently received recognition for their environmental initiatives, winning a prestigious Green IT Award at a ceremony held at London Zoo in April.
Run by Green IT Magazine, The Green IT Awards celebrate companies who have made significant contributions to improving the IT industry’s environmental performance. Version One won the accolade for ‘Best Carbon Offsetting Scheme of the Year,’ which they achieved through their tree planting commitments and sponsoring of computers to Africa.
This award, as well as being a finalist in two other categories, has cemented Version One’s status as an environmental leader within the IT industry.
Tree Appeal would like to congratulate Version One on their award, as well as for their ongoing contribution to tree planting and environmental education. Ken Whitley, Managing Director of Tree Appeal said, “It is companies like Version One who are really helping us to make a global difference - they should feel very proud of their environmental contribution. We are delighted to have worked with them over the last four years and hope that our partnership will continue long into the future.”
Document management and imaging software author, Version One, has launched its Carbon-Neutral Initiative. As part of this initiative, Version One will offset its carbon emissions by planting native broad-leaved trees, through Tree Appeal, on behalf of new customers that purchase Version One software and services.
This new initiative, which is the first of its kind by a UK software author, will offset Version One’s carbon emissions and reduce the company’s negative impact on the environment. It will also encourage Version One’s customers, partners and suppliers to launch similar initiatives, helping to prevent annual emissions of CO2 from reaching critical levels.
Julian Buck, Managing Director of Version One, says, “Our document management and imaging software has been helping businesses reduce their paper consumption for nearly eighteen years. Now it’s time for Version One to take its environmental commitment to the next level.”
“Since first established, Version One has emitted over 2000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere and so by launching this Carbon-Neutral Initiative, we are making strides to offset these emissions. This initiative will also force us to put environmental thinking at the heart of our strategy, enabling us to make a real difference to both our local community and the wider environment. By setting standards for others to follow, we hope that more and more businesses will introduce their own carbon initiatives thereby helping to meet Government targets of a 60 per cent cut in emissions by 2050.”
GREEN IT AWARD