At Urban Leaf, we believe tackling the environmental impact of our food system is one of the greatest challenges our generation faces. Feeding ourselves the way we currently do is unsustainable. As we strive to help people grow their own food, we recognize that expanding our business also increases our environmental footprint—a reality most “Eco-Friendly” brands tend to ignore.
Starting in 2021, Urban Leaf committed to going ‘Net Zero’ on our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2022, we're pushing further to become The World’s First ‘Net Negative’ Gardening Company.
What Does 'Net Zero' Mean?
“Net Zero” is all about balancing the emissions we release into the atmosphere with the amount of greenhouse gases we remove. Essentially, we aim for our carbon footprint to net to zero. This can be achieved in two ways:
- Reducing emissions from our operations.
- Enhancing our capacity to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Our Journey to 'Net Zero'
Inspired by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, we aim to align with the global goal of achieving 'Net Zero' by 2050. We’re taking significant steps to not only meet but exceed these standards through:
- Reducing Emissions: We’re analyzing every aspect of our operations—from materials and suppliers to freight and packaging—to cut down our emissions. By identifying and minimizing our carbon footprint, we are committed to ensuring that every aspect of our business is as sustainable as possible.
- Purchasing Offsets: For any remaining emissions that we can't eliminate through operational changes, we'll purchase carbon offsets. This approach not only helps balance our emissions but also supports projects like renewable energy and carbon capture initiatives that contribute positively to the environment.
What Does 'Net Negative' Mean?
Going 'Net Negative' means taking our environmental responsibility even further. It’s about removing more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than we emit. This goal flips the traditional business growth model on its head—where most companies become a larger environmental burden as they scale, Urban Leaf aims to clean the atmosphere more as we grow. Our strategy includes investing in projects and initiatives that contribute to a healthier planet for everyone.
Understanding Emissions: Scope 1, 2, and 3
When we talk about emissions, we categorize them into three scopes:
- Scope 1 Emissions: These are direct emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by a company. For Urban Leaf, this is minimal as we do not operate vehicles or have significant on-site fuel consumption.
- Scope 2 Emissions: These involve indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity. While we don’t have a corporate office, a portion of the energy used in home offices contributes to our Scope 2 emissions, and we plan to address this through renewable energy purchases and efficiency measures.
- Scope 3 Emissions: These are all other indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of the company, including those from freight, packaging, and employee commuting. For Urban Leaf, Scope 3 is the largest category, and we are focused on reducing these emissions wherever possible.
Moving Beyond 'Net Zero'
Our ambition doesn’t stop at achieving 'Net Zero'. We are exploring ways to become 'Net Negative', meaning we will actively remove more carbon from the atmosphere than we contribute. This involves expanding our investments in carbon offsetting projects and continuing to innovate in sustainable practices. We believe that every step we take towards sustainability not only helps the planet but also empowers our community to make greener choices in their own lives.
Join Us in Our Mission
We are excited about the journey ahead and the role that Urban Leaf and our community can play in creating a healthier planet. Every product you grow at home and every step towards sustainable living makes a difference. Let’s work together to create a world where sustainability isn’t just a goal but a reality.
For more on how you can contribute to a greener planet, check out our guide on sustainable gardening practices. Here’s to a cleaner, healthier Earth—one garden at a time!
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