Ovo Energy seeks to protect Amazon rainforest

One energy supplier is launching a new initiative to help protect the Amazon rainforest on its customers' behalf.

Ovo Energy has joined forces with Cool Earth, an environmental protection charity, to protect one acre of the rainforest for each energy customer.

It hopes that the scheme will lead to more of the rainforest being safeguarded from deforestation, as this will help reduce the amount of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.

"Every acre we protect will not only save 260 tonnes of carbon emissions, but also 22 endangered species, 40 mature trees and over 11,000 species of insect and worm," said Ovo Founder and Managing Director Stephen Fitzpatrick.

He noted that around 30,000 customers are currently doing their bit for the environment by subscribing to Ovo.

It was recently announced that the energy supplier had been shortlisted in the 2010 HSBC Start-up Star Awards, which aim to recognise sustainable growth in businesses.

Posted by Ruth Bradshaw