· The initiative "1 + 1, one tree for each electric bus" will complete the planting of 2000 trees by the end of 2023, equivalent to 2000 electric buses that will circulate on the streets of Santiago, which has been made possible under the Enel X financing model.
· Based on this virtuous combination of electromobility and reforestation, it is expected to reduce the emission of approximately 700 tons of CO2e into the environment per year, thus contributing to combating the effects of climate change.
Santiago, August 3, 2023 - The continuous concern for the protection and care of the environment and the improvement of social welfare in urban areas, is the purpose of the program "1 + 1, a tree for each electric bus", which was presented by Enel X, together with Fundación Reforestemos, and which will allow reforesting 2 forests in the center and south of the country, making Santiago, at the same time, an increasingly sustainable city.
The initiative was presented this Thursday by the Undersecretary of Transport, Jorge Daza, the general manager of Enel X, Karla Zapata and the executive director of the Reforestemos Foundation, Suzanne Wylie. On this occasion it was announced the implementation of a 100% electric bus with biodiversity in height, provided by the company Andes Motor, which traveled the streets of Santiago, calling the conscience of the inhabitants of the city.
For each electric bus that enters into circulation, under the Enel X financing model, a native tree will be planted in two areas in the south of the country that urgently need to be reforested to maintain the environmental balance of the ecosystem. It is not a compensation, but a contribution to the care of the environment and the fight against climate change.
Enel X will plant around 2,000 trees, equivalent to the number of electric buses that Enel X will have in operation under its financing model, in the metropolitan public transport network by the end of 2023.
"This is a project that represents our firm commitment to caring for the environment and promoting increasingly sustainable cities, as we are not only taking measures to reduce emissions of polluting gases by replacing traditional buses with electric buses, but we are also increasing our contribution to combating climate change by reforesting forests in southern Chile, said Karla Zapata, Enel X's general manager.
Likewise, Jorge Daza, Undersecretary of Transportation, pointed out that "we must change the way we understand mobility in cities, promoting the use of sustainable public transportation to generate friendlier and more efficient cities that make Chile a better place to live. And this is a task that we must face jointly between the public and private sectors to reduce the negative effects of transportation on the environment. Therefore, I welcome and congratulate this initiative of Enel X and Reforestemos Foundation, because it goes in that direction, massifying the use of zero-emission means of transport, and contributing to the care of our ecosystems and the fight against climate change".
Suzanne Wylie, executive director of Fundación Reforestemos, says, "It is very gratifying to see how companies are developing greater environmental awareness and prioritizing the protection and recovery of our ecosystems as part of their focus on sustainability. After the devastating fires of the summer, reforestation with native species has become more urgent than ever and these trees will be of great help in restoring the areas most affected by the season, forming part of our 'Post-Fire Restoration Plan 2023.'
Since 2017, Enel X took on the challenge of accelerating the energy transition of public transport in Chile. Aware of the scope of electrification to decarbonize cities, protect the environment and improve people's quality of life, the company has provided 80% of the electric buses in the RED system, transforming the travel experience of thousands of users.
Thanks to this initiative, a reduction of approximately 0.35 tons of CO2e per tree per year is expected, which represents a total reduction of 700 tons of CO2e emissions per year in the environment.
Reforestation Areas
Granja Carmen: This is a 4.5 hectare property located in the Santa Bárbara commune, Biobío Region, which contains a 3.2 hectare honey orchard, which is intended to restore the native flora of the area, since the environment has been heavily intervened with forestry plantations. The species to be planted are: Litre, Quillay, Huingán, Mayu and Radal.
Pole Pole: A 6HA property located in the commune of Panguipulli, Los Ríos region, which has been used for beekeeping production and maintains a remnant of native forest. The reforestation seeks to incorporate 2.5 HA with native forest, contributing to the continuity of the landscape, flora and fauna that promote biological corridors. The species to be planted are: Notro, Canelo, Avellano, Arrayán, Coihue and Roble.