Capital MS&L Extends Commitment to Sustainability by Becoming Carbon Neutral

Capital MS&L (“Capital”), the international financial communications firm, announced today that it has extended its commitment to sustainable business practises by achieving Carbon Neutral status.  In addition to committing to a reduction in its carbon footprint, Capital is also working with The CarbonNeutral Company to calculate its remaining CO2 emissions and offset them through investment in projects around the world that successfully reduce emissions.

The CarbonNeutral Company will calculate CO2 emissions generated by Capital’s business operations and its employees, advise on procedures to reduce these emissions and, for emissions that are unavoidable, will work with Capital to select offset projects that will reduce emissions elsewhere in the world by 1 tonne for every tonne of C02 that Capital creates.

Capital’s employees decided to support the following offset projects:

Energy-efficiency, Jamaica

This initiative fosters understanding of energy efficiency and drives the take-up of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) by distributing these bulbs to poorer inner city neighbourhoods.  CFLs use one quarter of the electricity of traditional incandescent bulbs and last ten times longer.  This is an essential contribution on an island faced with insufficient electricity generating capacity and a heavy reliance on oil-fired power stations.  Oil purchases see precious hard currency leave the country and recent price rises have seen the cost of electricity soar by almost 75% between 2002 and 2006.

Capital’s investment will ensure these bulbs are available at discount prices and with a warranty, and that the community is educated on the benefits of energy efficiency which serves as a catalyst for making real progress in overcoming the financial and behavioural barriers to implementing energy efficiency.

Chiapas reforestation, Mexico

Situated in Chiapas, the Tzeltal and Tojolobal zones are two of the poorest regions in Mexico, where families live in poverty without the vital nutrition, living conditions and education required to survive and prosper. However, this area holds some of the world’s most important rainforests inhabiting a huge range of rare species.

Capital will help this community by providing a sustainable income to future generations. Investing in this project enables farmers to plant fruit and nut tree orchards on their land, restoring it to its original forested state.  Using the Plan Vivo carbon management system, this pioneering forestry project has a huge impact on the local communities and farmers and their families are provided with the security of a certified income stream for the long-term.

Richard Campbell, joint Managing Director of Capital MS&L, commented:

“As a firm, Capital has always had a commitment to sustainable business practises including a commitment to the environment in which our employees and their families live and work.  It is a small step compared to the huge environmental challenges that are undoubtedly facing the world over the next few years, however for Capital and its employees it was important to demonstrate our conviction that organisations and individuals must now take responsibility for the world around us.

“We intend to leverage our carbon neutral status to educate our clients, suppliers, partners and colleagues on the importance of taking a responsible environmental attitude, not just for the obvious benefits to future generations, but also for the long term benefits that sound environmental practises will bring to business.”

For further information, please contact:

Notes to editors

Capital MS&L

Capital MS&L is a London, New York and Dubai based international financial communications consultancy. The firm offers corporate and financial public relations, investor relations and capital markets transaction support to a range of ambitious, international clients.

The company is part owned by global public relations firm MS&L, which is in turn owned by Publicis Groupe, the world’s fourth largest marketing services group.

www.capitalmsl.com

The CarbonNeutral Company

The CarbonNeutral Company is the world’s leading full service carbon management business. It enables businesses and individuals to tackle their climate change impacts in a way which delivers value – commercial, environmental, personal.

The company works with over 200 B2B, B2C, NGO and government clients including BSkyB, Honda, Avis Europe, IUCN – The World Conservation Union, American Express, Berkeley Homes, Ricoh and the Radio Taxis Group as well as celebrities and 50,000+ consumer clients.

CarbonNeutral®, the registered trademark of The CarbonNeutral Company, is the world’s leading brand mark for action on climate change. It means global warming emissions have been measured, reductions recommended, and the remaining emissions ‘offset’ through renewable energy and/or sustainable forestry projects.

For more information please go to www.carbonneutral.com or call 0207 833 6000

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