KARACHI: The Engro Polymer and Chemicals Limited (EPCL) has achieved its first-ever carbon-neutral voyage on the ethylene-laden vessel Gaschem Dollart, a statement said on Wednesday. has achieved its first-ever carbon-neutral voyage on the ethylene-laden vessel Gaschem Dollart, a statement said on Wednesday.

The company which is a subsidiary of Engro Corporation, achieved this feat in collaboration with Marubeni Corporation, it added.

For this carbon-neutral voyage, EPCL secured Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) carbon credits, the highest standard available on the market, in proportion to the emissions caused by the vessel journey.

The funds used to purchase these carbon credits are being utilised to support the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve, a REDD+ standard project in Indonesia.

This is the first and only REDD+ project so far that contributes to all 17 of the United Nations’ sustainability goals, including reforestation, protection of endangered wildlife, as well as providing clean water, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities to local communities of the area.

Engro Polymer and Chemicals chief executive officer Jahangir Piracha said: “Under the sustainability agenda, EPCL is working on three areas, including carbon reduction and offset, resource conservation, and circular plastics.”

“This maiden carbon-neutral voyage is part of our commitment to minimise environmental impact and ensure end-to-end sustainable business operations,” he added.

The carbon-neutral voyage is also gold-certified under climate, community and biodiversity (CCB) standards, set by leading international NGOs such as Care and Conservation International that aim to simultaneously address climate change, support local communities and smallholders, and conserve biodiversity.