The African development private equity firm, Phatisa, has committed funds to regenerate, plant and preserve an indigenous Miombo woodlands in central Zambia.

Duncan Owen, Senior Managing Partner, said: “Phatisa, like many other businesses, is conscious of climate change and we want to make our own contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Measuring our carbon footprint and going carbon neutral is one way to contribute.”

Phatisa has committed to fund the regeneration of more than 10 hectares of degraded Miombo woodlands near Luanshya, central Zambia, which is currently under threat by extensive clearing practices and illegal fires for the production of charcoal.

Executing this scheme will include preserving the existing woodlands, as well as planting additional indigenous trees and removal of exotic species.

This will encourage the natural biodiversity of the area, allowing natural vegetation to re-establish itself and, as result, sequester carbon from the atmosphere to offset Phatisa’s carbon debt for years to come.

The land is owned by Goldenlay, an African Agriculture Fund portfolio company.

Fletcher Broad, Managing Director of Goldenlay, said: “Phatisa is demonstrating strong leadership with this initiative to offset its carbon emissions and we at Goldenlay are delighted to be able to work with Phatisa on this.”

The protected area will be managed and maintained by Nick O’Conner, a respected forester in Zambia, who will monitor the area and record the regrowth over time.

The young indigenous saplings will have the time to get established and become self-sustaining.

It is estimated that at peak growth, the woodland will sequester 20 tonnes of carbon per hectare each year.

Phatisa, like many other African businesses, generates a carbon footprint through its daily business activities.

Since its launch in 2005, the firm has concluded more than 20 investments in around 15 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.

During 2014 alone, Phatisa’s relatively small team has flown over 1,000,000 km crisscrossing Africa and Europe to visit potential investments, portfolio companies and investors, and has driven more than 120,000 km on the daily commute.

It has been estimated that these activities release close to 150 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

“We believe that being carbon neutral aligns our vision of driving positive impact through our investments. For the sake of this planet and those that live on her we encourage organisations to consider their own carbon footprint,” commented Owen.