As a responsible corporation and in line with our vision that tomorrow’s society will depend on our actions today, we do everything we can to avoid or minimize our carbon footprint in our events and communication actions for our clients, as well as in our daily functioning. That being said, net-zero projects are quite impossible to implement today so until then, we offset our footprint locally and abroad.
The offsetting is systematically included in all our projects and proposed to our customers. In case of refusal, the agency will pay for it at its own expense.
Locally, we do this via tree-planting initiatives. By strategically planting trees in areas where deforestation has occurred or where additional greenery is needed, we not only offset carbon emissions but also contribute to ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation. With this being said, after the oceans, trees are the most effective carbon sink for sequestering CO2 emissions. It’s the only solution that currently exists in Belgium to decarbonise effectively, while at the same time promoting biodiversity and the richness of our rural landscapes. 15.356 trees have been planted since we started our partnership three years ago with Plant C.
Beyond borders, we actively support various projects financially like the Qori Q’oncha (the Golden Cookstoves) project in Peru.
These innovative cookstoves expel harmful smoke out of the houses and reduce the amount of wood used. In 2023, VO’s financial support enabled the construction of 123 stoves for 465 beneficiaries, which will avoid the use of 390 tons of wood and the production of 913 tCO2 each year. Find here more about how VO’s involvement supported this project.
At VO, we firmly believe that sustainability is not just a goal but a collective responsibility. Through our local tree-planting initiatives and international project support, we are committed to contributing to a better tomorrow for the next generations.
