Berlin, Germany
February 14, 2008
At an international press event on
the 9th February, TÜV Nord presented the world's first
certificate for compensation of CO2 emissions at the Fruit
Logistica trade fair, which was awarded to the Dutch eco-company
EOSTA for its organic compost projects.
Volkert Engelsman, founder and managing director of
Eosta, describes the project
as a decisive milestone on a journey, for which the research
work - lasting several decades - of the biochemist and
eco-pioneer Ehrenfried Pfeiffer (1899-1961) first paved the way.
Based on Pfeiffer's research into compost, the company Soil &
More constructs large-scale compost systems around the world, in
which plant waste both from the production of organic products
and fast-growing alien plants that destroy eco-systems ("alien
vegetation") are converted into nutrient-rich humus, instead of
rotting away and discharging climate-damaging methane.
Engelsman: "This compost production has several decisive
advantages. First of all, the humus-rich compost created can
also be used by conventional farmers in place of expensive
mineral-based nitrogen fertilisers produced using large amounts
of energy; secondly, the farmers can also sell the compost to
third parties and, thirdly, they generate additional income from
emission allowances created by the project in compliance with
the climate guidelines of the United Nations."
Moreover, Eosta can ultimately purchase the emissions allowances
generated in this way and thus offer the products distributed in
Europe in a climate-neutral way and with transparent
communication provided by Nature & More. "For example, one
kilogramme of apples from Argentina produces approx. 1.55
kilogrammes of CO2," is how Tobias Bandel from Soil & More
explains his research findings. Eric Krupp from TÜV Nord adds
that "for our verification and certification it is important
that all factors are taken into consideration, including tractor
design, irrigation, storage, refrigeration, transport by ship
and truck, processing and packaging, including packaging
materials, and finally delivery to retail outlets."
Products bearing the new "Nature & More Climate Neutral Product"
Label were presented at the Fruit Logistica fresh product fair
in Berlin and were greeted with major interest by experts, the
food retail sector and the press, according to Volkert
Engelsman.
Initially, apples from Argentina, oranges from Egypt and vine
tomatoes from the Netherlands are set to appear on the market
bearing the Nature & More climate logo. The aim is to make the
entire product range of the Eosta company climate neutral, as
soon as the compost production of Soil & More is able to respond
to the booming demand. This is anticipated for the end of 2008.
The Egyptian Minister of Agriculture Amin Abaza, who
energetically supports the project in his country, was so moved
that he invited the representatives of Eosta, Nature & More and
Soil & More to visit him and, in a symbolic gesture, presented
the boss of one of Germany's largest supermarket chains with the
first climate-neutral oranges. |
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