E-invoice = higher culture - 2,300 trees frim Raben

This has be the fourth planting action carried our by Raben Group employees, the local communities and the Aeris Futuro Foundation. This time, the volunteers met near Murowana Goślina to plant 2,300 deciduous trees, including maples, birches or spindle trees. The plants will neutralize over 1,074 tons of carbon dioxide during their life cycle. However, the pro-ecological aspect is not the only objective of the planting.

“Trees will make the area more beautiful; they will form ecological corridors and nesting areas for birds; they will form a natural barrier against winds and they will enrich the landscape. It will be more beautiful, more diversified and beneficial for the environment.” – explains Joanna Mieszkowicz, the Chairperson of the Aeris Futuro Foundation and she adds – “Additionally, the action aims at integration of employees and doing something cool together. I am really happy that this year the turnout was really great; we had whole families with children so we were really having fun.” 

Planting trees is the crowning achievement of the “e-invoice=higher culture” program in which Raben Group shows its customers the advantages of electronic invoices over their paper equivalents.  The rules are simple: each consent to accepting e-invoices means one tree planted on behalf of the customer. In 2016, as many as 2,300 companies agreed to stop using paper invoices in favour of their electronic counterparts and that is why on Saturday, October 21, 2017, the employees could plant that many trees on their behalf.

“The e-invoice = higher culture program is the leading offset project of Raben Group. In this manner we promote ecological behaviours among our customers by offering them an opportunity to use e-invoices.  For four years now, we have met every year with the Aeris Futuro Foundation to neutralize CO2 emitted into the atmosphere.” – summarizes Jakub Krzewina, Group CSR Coordinator in Raben Group.

Planting trees together has become a tradition in Raben Group. This year over 50 employees took part in the action, they brought their families and friends, and they were joined by Ewald Raben, the CEO, for whom responsible business is very important - also in the context of ecology.  After the hard work, everyone could warm up near a campfire, with a cup of tea or coffee, and grilled sausages.

CSR Strategy In 2015 Raben Group drafted the social engagement strategy, which is a part of the corporate strategy. It takes into account the interests of stakeholders voiced during dialogue session and the global CSR trends and challenges. The key areas for the company are: local communities, the natural environment, education and road safety.

Aeris Futuro FoundationThe Aeris Futuro Foundation has been active in Poland for over 10 years. Its mission is to effectively prevent global climate changes, support the development of local communities and to increase biological and landscape biodiversity. This is the only non-governmental organisation in Poland with the comprehensive approach to the carbon offsets which compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. The Foundation has developed the first Polish CO₂ CALCULATOR which measures the carbon footprint and allows for limiting and neutralizing it (carbon offsetting) by funding tree planting projects or increasing energy efficiency. For over 10 years, 1,5 million trees have been planted in the whole Poland. The Foundation organizes many ecology workshops and it has started a program of green events, i.e. organizing  events in a manner that includes limiting carbon dioxide emissions and planning offsetting actions. All projects of the Foundation aim at activating the society and increasing the awareness of care for the environment. More information available at www.aerisfuturo.pl