6 August 2022, Laguna Quezon Land Grant, Siniloan, Laguna. Bolloré Logistics Asia Support Services, Inc. (BLASSI) added another 400 native Philippine trees to their forest in the Sierra Madre mountain range, plus an additional 100 wildlings that will also be planted at the Laguna Quezon Land Grant (LQLG), an over 9,000 hectare protected forest managed by FEED’s longest Living Legacy partner, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
55 super enthusiastic BLASSI ecowarriors braved the rains to persist in trekking to their site, in an Olympic style event they designed in friendly competition amongst each other. After having a welcome debrief about FEED’s adopted community-based and drivenRidge to REEForestation framework in tree-planting, we proceeded to warm up and stretch prior to trekking to BLASSI’s planting site, where the 400 holes had been prepared the same early morning by part of the 30 plus forest guardians based at LQLG – a team that lives in our forests to ensure its conservation, protection, continued sustainable expansion and security. The 100 wildlings were also distributed amongst the four Olympic BLASSI teams, who were all assessed on the basis of the quality of seedling bags they prepared (to be readied for outplanting), technical compliance and teamwork.
Back in 2021, after FEED carried out a reforestation planting for EcoMatcher – one of FEED’s major partners since 2017 to date – FEED was asked to sign a document from Bolloré ( the sponsor of the EcoMatcher planting through FEED) for having “taken full cognizance of the Bolloré Group’s Responsible Purchasing Charter*, which communicates among other major compliance requirements”.
*Some of those principles are noted below:
- Meet the principles of the United Nations Global Compact (of which FEED is a signatory since 2016. Propose and promote access to training and skills development for employees).
- Never under any circumstances allow any of the following practices in their activities:
- child labor, except in those special cases allowed by ILO conventions no. 138 and no. 182;
Treat migrant workers fairly and comply with the principles of ILO convention no. 97. - practices defined as modern-day slavery or forced, compulsory or clandestine employment as meant by ILO conventions no. 29 and no. 105;
- any form of physical, moral, or sexual harassment or any form of discrimination related to origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, family situation, pregnancy, physical appearance, state of health, nationality, or union or religious membership as meant by ILO conventions no. 100, no. 111 and no. 156.
- child labor, except in those special cases allowed by ILO conventions no. 138 and no. 182;
- Guarantee decent working conditions, and health and safety standards which are compliant with ILO conventions no. 102 and no. 155. Etc.
Following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions back in November 2021, Bolloré was seeking to engage their Ecowarrior participants in a nature-based Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) immersion program that would enable them to experience the forest first-hand, breathe the fresh oxygen produced by the Laguna Quezon Land Grant forest in the Sierra Madre mountain range, and to just be in nature’s healing and protective state – by giving back.
Bollore’s Olympic theme was meant to encourage “sportsmanship, personal sacrifice, and an unyielding will to reach your goals” – all of which are critical characteristics required to combat climate change into action on the ground, together and in partnership.
We are very encouraged, inspired and driven to do more when working with organizations and people like you.
Thank you Bolloré EcoWarriors – May the Forest be with you!
Photo & Video Collage
GPS Coordinates of BLASSI Planting Site
Use any GPS (Global Positioning System) software / applications to input the latitude and longitude coordinates to be able to remotely see the location of your trees planted. Some examples include:
- https://www.gps-coordinates.net
- https://gps-coordinates.org
- https://www.maps.ie/coordinates.htmlhttp://www.mapcoordinates.net/en
About Bolloré Logistics Asia Support Services, Inc. (BLASSI) Philippines
Ang Bolloré Logistics Philippines ay naitatag noong 1996, na nakabase sa Manila, at ang mga sangay ay nasa Clark Airport at Cebu.
Ang lokal na pangkat ng Bolloré Logistics ay nagbibigay ng pandaigdigang serbisyong pandagat at panghimpapawid na sakop ang lahat ng paliparan sa Pilipinas, daungan, at mga PEZA zone. Ang lokal na serbisyo ay umaabot din sa custom at compliance management, at naghahatid sa buong 7,000 isla sa bansa, gayundin sa imbakan at serbisyo ng pamamahagi.
Ang malakas na kasanayan sa lokal ay napaunlad sa pangunahing hanay tulad ng Aerospace, Aid & Relief, Healthcare, High Tech, Luxury Fashion, Perfumes & Cosmetics, Power Technologies, at Telecom.
Know more here: https://www.bollore-logistics.com/en/country/philippines/
BLASSI On Sustainability
POWERING SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS: OUR COMMITMENT PROGRAM DEPLOYED INTERNATIONALLY BY ALL OUR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
Defined collectively with our customers and employees, this program consists of four pillars for action in line with the CSR focus areas of Bolloré Group. Founded on standard ISO 26000 for assessing the CSR issues of stakeholders, it mobilizes all actors in the company around 11 commitments with quantified objectives to reach by 2030 and targets in particular, 8 UN’ Sustainable Development Goals. Its integration, both in operations and the sales offer, is part of Bolloré Logistics’ global approach of progress and performance. Quantified results and deployment of action plans are published each year.
ACT AS A COMMITTED EMPLOYER
Bolloré Logistics’ main mission is to ensure the health and safety of its employees and third parties within the framework of its international activities. In a multi-cultural context, the company also intends to give value to all its talented people, without discrimination, encourage gender equality and social inclusion, while ensuring the respect and promotion of human and fundamental rights in the entire supply chain.
Read more on Bolloré Logistics here: https://www.bollore-logistics.com/en/csr/
On Carbon Sequestration – How Much CO2 can our trees absorb?
Trees are often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth” as they are able to store carbon and produce oxygen, which is essential to many life forms. Trees also stabilise soil and reduce air temperature and humidity, whilst also reducing flooding and improving water quality. Without trees, most fauna and flora would not survive, what more humans?
It is widely accepted that a typical tree can absorb around 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year when in fully grown status, meaning that saplings, seedlings and younger trees – whether mangroves or primary or secondary forest trees – absorb around half, so conservatively say 11 kgs per year (also widely used by most international forestry agencies around the world).
So, over a lifetime of a tropical tree (100 years), one tree can absorb around 1 tonne of CO2. Although this figure seems large, it should be measured in perspective: to date we humans generate around 40 billions tonnes of CO2 each year on Earth. Which means, that we need to plant 40 billion trees annually to offset these emissions.
NATURE IS SPEAKING (Narrated by Julia Roberts)
What can I do to stop climate change?
“As the world warms, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, sea levels are rising, prolonged droughts are putting pressure on food crops, and many animal and plant species are being driven to extinction. It’s hard to imagine what we as individuals can do to resolve a problem of this scale and severity.
The good news: We are not alone. People, communities, cities, businesses, schools, faith groups and other organizations are taking action. We’re fighting like our lives depend on it — because they do.
In a world of more than seven billion people, each of us is a drop in the bucket. But with enough drops, we can fill any bucket.” – David Suzuki
Check out some of the ways you can take more climate change action.
For example, Climate Action groups are the local solution to a global crisis. Right now people just like you are coming together to develop practical, local solutions and make their towns and cities more climate-friendly. Are you ready to join them? Find out what’s happening near you.
More here: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate-change/what-can-I-do-to-stop-climate-change
Contact FEED
In 2015, the Philippine government submitted to the United Nations the country’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The country committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030. The carbon dioxide reductions will come from the sectors of energy, transport, waste, forestry and industry. Join us! Help us reverse the Earth’s “hothouse climate” tipping point.
Tree-Planting with FEED
Contact us at FEED for more details, to join our regular activities or to design your own tree-nurturing event: info@feed.org.ph or call/text +63 (0)917 552 4722.
© Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc.