AN environmental pledge by a Lichfield retailer is set to focus on the African nation of Malawi.
Since 2022, Central Co-op has planted a tree for every funeral it conducts – a move which has seen more than 20,000 planted to help offset up to 6,022 tonnes of CO2.
Now the company is planning to focus the Planting Promise initiative on Africa alongside part of its Our Malawi Partnership.
A spokesperson said:
“As one of the world’s least developed nations, Malawi faces rising climate threats, including extreme weather events such as floods. Tree planting in these vulnerable areas helps restore wildlife habitats, improve soil quality and secure the livelihoods of local farmers.
“With Malawi’s rural population heavily reliant on subsistence agriculture, the cultivation of diverse tree species offers new avenues for sustainable income and land use.
“Central Co-op’s Our Malawi Partnership supports farmers and producers by selling a range of Malawi-sourced products in its stores. Proceeds from these products directly contribute to strengthening the trading capacity of Malawi’s communities.
“By combining the Planting Promise with the Our Malawi Partnership, Central Co-op is driving meaningful change both in Malawi and globally.”
The project will see trees planted during the African nation’s rainy season from November to May, and will see fruit-bearing trees such as mango and tamarind planted alongisde hardwoods to provide long-term timber opportunities.
It is also hoped the new canopy will help to conservation efforts surrounding Malawi’s 650 bird species.
For more information on the Malawi Planting Promise visit www.centralcoop.co.uk/plantingpromise.