Background & Introduction

FTFA is South Africa’s national social enterprise that started in 1990 to address sustainable development through greening, climate change action, sustainable natural resource management and food security programmes. FTFA has distributed over 3.8 million trees, facilitated over 2 500 organic food gardens for the poorest in South Africa and launched the first carbon calculator and the Carbon Standard (now the Carbon Protocol) in this country.

FTFA’s objectives are:

• to contribute to greening, climate change action, sustainable natural resource management and food security;
• to create awareness of the benefits of environmental improvement activities amongst all communities of southern Africa;
• to contribute to poverty alleviation, sustainable development, enhanced environments, capacity building and skills development

Working in partnership, and with the support, endorsement and cooperation of government, the private and public sectors and civil society to achieve these aims, FTFA implements five programmes, namely: Trees for Homes, Trees for All and Bamboo for Africa Programmes (that are registered under the Carbon Protocol of South Africa), Food Gardens for Africa, and EduPlant, each with various projects.

Many companies, government departments, aid agencies, organisations, media and individuals support these programmes and projects that are leading to healthier lives of impoverished communities, more sustainable green environments and increased awareness of our impact on the planet and the need to address this. 

For a complete list of FTFA’s development partners, board members, patrons, employees and projects, as well as financial statements, please refer to the website: www.trees.co.za.

Climate change is arguably the most crucial issue of our time and is the biggest environmental challenge that we face and FTFA commends PPS for proactively addressing this through measuring their carbon footprint and partially offsetting this.

The Trees for All programme, through which PPS’ carbon emissions were partially offset, is a successful and effective programme that greens, educates, offsets carbon emissions and transforms schools, clinics, old age homes, orphanages, hospices, community centres and churches.

FTFA receives applications for trees from disadvantaged community groups living in barren, dusty townships across South Africa and provides trees for as many as possible with assistance from funders. Trees are ordered from the nearest tree grower (emerging nurseries where possible) for local economic development and are delivered with branded instructions on how to plant and maintain them. Tree planting events are often held to highlight the benefits of greening and climate change action and spread awareness and education. 

Millions of trees have been distributed in this but there are calls for many more, thus this green gift from PPS was really appreciated. 

Background & Introduction

FTFA is South Africa’s national social enterprise that started in 1990 to address sustainable development through greening, climate change action, sustainable natural resource management and food security programmes. FTFA has distributed over 3.8 million trees, facilitated over 2 500 organic food gardens for the poorest in South Africa and launched the first carbon calculator and the Carbon Standard (now the Carbon Protocol) in this country.

FTFA’s objectives are:

• to contribute to greening, climate change action, sustainable natural resource management and food security;
• to create awareness of the benefits of environmental improvement activities amongst all communities of southern Africa;
• to contribute to poverty alleviation, sustainable development, enhanced environments, capacity building and skills development

Working in partnership, and with the support, endorsement and cooperation of government, the private and public sectors and civil society to achieve these aims, FTFA implements five programmes, namely: Trees for Homes, Trees for All and Bamboo for Africa Programmes (that are registered under the Carbon Protocol of South Africa), Food Gardens for Africa, and EduPlant, each with various projects.

Many companies, government departments, aid agencies, organisations, media and individuals support these programmes and projects that are leading to healthier lives of impoverished communities, more sustainable green environments and increased awareness of our impact on the planet and the need to address this. 

For a complete list of FTFA’s development partners, board members, patrons, employees and projects, as well as financial statements, please refer to the website: www.trees.co.za.

Climate change is arguably the most crucial issue of our time and is the biggest environmental challenge that we face and FTFA commends PPS for proactively addressing this through measuring their carbon footprint and partially offsetting this.

The Trees for All programme, through which PPS’ carbon emissions were partially offset, is a successful and effective programme that greens, educates, offsets carbon emissions and transforms schools, clinics, old age homes, orphanages, hospices, community centres and churches.

FTFA receives applications for trees from disadvantaged community groups living in barren, dusty townships across South Africa and provides trees for as many as possible with assistance from funders. Trees are ordered from the nearest tree grower (emerging nurseries where possible) for local economic development and are delivered with branded instructions on how to plant and maintain them. Tree planting events are often held to highlight the benefits of greening and climate change action and spread awareness and education. 

Millions of trees have been distributed in this but there are calls for many more, thus this green gift from PPS was really appreciated. 

FTFA (www.trees.co.za) is a Section 21 social enterprise established in 1990 and registered with the Department of Welfare and the Public Benefits Department.  FTFA has exemption from taxes and duties as approved in terms of Section 18A.

International and local awards for FTFA, founder and staff:  United Nations Global 500 Laureate, the President Nelson Mandela Forestry Award, The Department of Environment Conserva Award, The Mail & Guardian Green Trust and Investing in the Future Awards, The Impumelelo Award, PMR Awards, the Eskom Chairman’s Award, the Mail & Guardian Chairman’s Award and the Institute for Housing SA Community Upgrader Award, the International Chevron Conservation Award, the United Nations Environmental Programme Sasakawa Climate Change Award, Arbor Day Foundation Award in the USA, the SAB Environmentalist Award and the best use of social media and website Sangonet award.

BOARD MEMBERS: Mr Murphy Morobe (Chairman) • Mr MB Edwards (Financial Director) • Ms I Feldman • Prof M Mahanyele Mr J Mahlangu •Ms H McLachlan-Evans • Ms E Mokotong • Ms L Mossop-Rousseau • Mr K Naidoo  Ms J Park • Mr D Tambo • Mr T Sithole • Ms A Moutembo (ex officio) 

PATRONS:  Mr Keith Kirsten • Ms Graça Machel • Ms Judy Sexwale • Dr Sam Motsuenyane

FTFA (www.trees.co.za) is a Section 21 social enterprise established in 1990 and registered with the Department of Welfare and the Public Benefits Department.  FTFA has exemption from taxes and duties as approved in terms of Section 18A.

International and local awards for FTFA, founder and staff:  United Nations Global 500 Laureate, the President Nelson Mandela Forestry Award, The Department of Environment Conserva Award, The Mail & Guardian Green Trust and Investing in the Future Awards, The Impumelelo Award, PMR Awards, the Eskom Chairman’s Award, the Mail & Guardian Chairman’s Award and the Institute for Housing SA Community Upgrader Award, the International Chevron Conservation Award, the United Nations Environmental Programme Sasakawa Climate Change Award, Arbor Day Foundation Award in the USA, the SAB Environmentalist Award and the best use of social media and website Sangonet award.

BOARD MEMBERS: Mr Murphy Morobe (Chairman) • Mr MB Edwards (Financial Director) • Ms I Feldman • Prof M Mahanyele Mr J Mahlangu •Ms H McLachlan-Evans • Ms E Mokotong • Ms L Mossop-Rousseau • Mr K Naidoo  Ms J Park • Mr D Tambo • Mr T Sithole • Ms A Moutembo (ex officio) 

PATRONS:  Mr Keith Kirsten • Ms Graça Machel • Ms Judy Sexwale • Dr Sam Motsuenyane

Professional Passenger services’ 167 trees were allocated to Kanana Primary School, Mayibuye Primary School, Midrand Methodist Church, Gideon Rambuwani School and Chance Children's Home.

Over time these trees will:

• improve air quality and contribute to climate change through carbon sequestration;
• provide shade;
• assist with drainage;
• decrease noise pollution;
• help to settle dust;
• contribute to soil management and reduce run off;
• develop green suburbs and contribute to civic pride;
• provide a habitat for wildlife and improved biodiversity;
• increase environmental awareness;
• improve the aesthetics of these areas.

Professional Passenger services’ 167 trees were allocated to Kanana Primary School, Mayibuye Primary School, Midrand Methodist Church, Gideon Rambuwani School and Chance Children's Home.

Over time these trees will:

• improve air quality and contribute to climate change through carbon sequestration;
• provide shade;
• assist with drainage;
• decrease noise pollution;
• help to settle dust;
• contribute to soil management and reduce run off;
• develop green suburbs and contribute to civic pride;
• provide a habitat for wildlife and improved biodiversity;
• increase environmental awareness;
• improve the aesthetics of these areas.

Implementation

PPS contacted FTFA to select beneficiaries for their partial carbon offset for 151 trees. The other 15 trees were to go to Gideon Rambuwani School selected by PPS. Gideon Rambuwani School filled in a tree application and sent it through to FTFA.

FTFA’s carbon calculator was placed on the PPS website so that their customers could also calculate their carbon footprints and offset these: www.enjoythejourney.co.za

FTFA organized an event in Springs with Chance Children’s Home that PPS staff attended to assist in the tree planting. A branded programme was drawn up and approved by PPS. Each beneficiary then received a tree planting illustration to guide them in planting their trees. Download the pdf file here.

Once the funding for the trees was received FTFA sourced indigenous trees from the nearest nursery to the projects and sent branded tree tags to the nurseries to attach to every tree.

Implementation

PPS contacted FTFA to select beneficiaries for their partial carbon offset for 151 trees. The other 15 trees were to go to Gideon Rambuwani School selected by PPS. Gideon Rambuwani School filled in a tree application and sent it through to FTFA.

FTFA’s carbon calculator was placed on the PPS website so that their customers could also calculate their carbon footprints and offset these: www.enjoythejourney.co.za

FTFA organized an event in Springs with Chance Children’s Home that PPS staff attended to assist in the tree planting. A branded programme was drawn up and approved by PPS. Each beneficiary then received a tree planting illustration to guide them in planting their trees. Download the pdf file here.

Once the funding for the trees was received FTFA sourced indigenous trees from the nearest nursery to the projects and sent branded tree tags to the nurseries to attach to every tree.

Event

Saturday 31 July 2010 PPS event took place at Chance Children’s Home in Springs. FTFA community foresters, Mookho Chaka and Sylvester Ngwenya, arrived early to mark out where the tree would be planted and put tree, mulch and compost at each spot. The first ten holes had already been dug.

The PPS staff arrived at 10h00. Everyone present then went to the Hall where Mrs Isabelle Govendor started the programme by welcoming all and gave a brief history on Chance Children’s Home. The children then stood and sang the National Anthem. Mookho Chaka then explained to the home and PPS staff who FTFA is and what FTFA does. Mookho went onto explain that FTFA was about to turn 20, and from now on every FTFA birthday will be shared with these trees. Mookho asked the children a few question about trees and why we need them.

Mr Dorian Toussaint, PPS representative said, “It is also our 17th anniversary on the 1st of August this is amazing.” Mr Toussaint then asked the children why they thought PPS should be planting, many of the children responded for oxygen.  Mr Toussaint explained that PPS were planting these trees to offset carbon emissions because they need to be aware of their carbon footprint and take responsibility for it especially, as transport is their business. The children then sang Happy Birthday for both PPS and FTFA. Mrs Govender thanked PPS and FTFA for the contributions of trees.

The tree planting then started with a demonstration by Mookho and then everyone got stuck in and planted the remaining trees together. The day ended in a game of soccer between the children and the PPS staff. Photographs of the day can be seen in the full carbon offset report.

“A day of energy and excitement, one the children have not had in a long time, thank you PPS and FTFA,”  said Mrs Govender.

Event

Saturday 31 July 2010 PPS event took place at Chance Children’s Home in Springs. FTFA community foresters, Mookho Chaka and Sylvester Ngwenya, arrived early to mark out where the tree would be planted and put tree, mulch and compost at each spot. The first ten holes had already been dug.

The PPS staff arrived at 10h00. Everyone present then went to the Hall where Mrs Isabelle Govendor started the programme by welcoming all and gave a brief history on Chance Children’s Home. The children then stood and sang the National Anthem. Mookho Chaka then explained to the home and PPS staff who FTFA is and what FTFA does. Mookho went onto explain that FTFA was about to turn 20, and from now on every FTFA birthday will be shared with these trees. Mookho asked the children a few question about trees and why we need them.

Mr Dorian Toussaint, PPS representative said, “It is also our 17th anniversary on the 1st of August this is amazing.” Mr Toussaint then asked the children why they thought PPS should be planting, many of the children responded for oxygen.  Mr Toussaint explained that PPS were planting these trees to offset carbon emissions because they need to be aware of their carbon footprint and take responsibility for it especially, as transport is their business. The children then sang Happy Birthday for both PPS and FTFA. Mrs Govender thanked PPS and FTFA for the contributions of trees.

The tree planting then started with a demonstration by Mookho and then everyone got stuck in and planted the remaining trees together. The day ended in a game of soccer between the children and the PPS staff. Photographs of the day can be seen in the full carbon offset report.

“A day of energy and excitement, one the children have not had in a long time, thank you PPS and FTFA,”  said Mrs Govender.

Conclusion

FTFA congratulates PPS for doing their partial offset and setting a bench mark for other transport companies. This contribution has benefited the communities and their people and improved the environments, creating healthier and more sustainable schools and settlements. These trees will help to settle the dust, create an ecosystem for wildlife and improve biodiversity, as well as introduce and promote environmental and climate change education and awareness.

The FTFA team and the beneficiaries thank PPS for their generous contribution to the many communities around Gauteng.

FTFA looks forward to working with PPS in the future assisting in the greening of more underserved communities and encourages Professional Passenger Services to enter the Climate Change Leadership Awards – ccla.co.za.

Conclusion

FTFA congratulates PPS for doing their partial offset and setting a bench mark for other transport companies. This contribution has benefited the communities and their people and improved the environments, creating healthier and more sustainable schools and settlements. These trees will help to settle the dust, create an ecosystem for wildlife and improve biodiversity, as well as introduce and promote environmental and climate change education and awareness.

The FTFA team and the beneficiaries thank PPS for their generous contribution to the many communities around Gauteng.

FTFA looks forward to working with PPS in the future assisting in the greening of more underserved communities and encourages Professional Passenger Services to enter the Climate Change Leadership Awards – ccla.co.za.