Update on IRP Tree Planting Project in UNESCO Area
In 2023 as part of our corporate responsibility programme IRP planted one acre of native Irish trees in Northern Ireland. The idea was to start a journey of understanding on how to offset eCommerce Carbon emissions - and to do it locally in Ireland.
The acre plantation is located on the shores of Strangford Lough, where the trees are now flourishing and enhancing the biodiversity. The land is located in the UNESCO Strangford and Gullion GeoPark and it was a small step in the beginning of a journey to better understand forestry and its positive impact on carbon offsetting and the environment.
Tree Planting in Northern Ireland for Biodiversity & Carbon Offset
Northern Ireland was once 80% covered in native forest but is now one of the most "Treeless Places in Europe" with less than 2% native woodland.
Dan Loughlin, IRP CEO, commented: “This is an initiative that continues to matter to us. We wanted to do something locally that we could see. Now that we have connections and a basic understanding of forestry we plan to scale this up over the next few years into something more significant.”
IRP plans a deeper analysis of how much carbon eCommerce produces and to work out the amount of tree planting that is needed to offset consumption. The "average Irish Tree" depending on species - eventually comes in around 10 tonnes in weight when mature. Things will take time ⏳.
IRP has found the process educational to work with foresters and future plans for more extensive planting will happen over the next few years.
IRP takes a small step locally on a journey to offset the impact eCommerce has on our environment
