Creating change on World Humanitarian Day

At Curzon PR, we are committed to having a positive impact on society. So it gives us great pleasure to work with organisations that are making a huge difference to the environment and disadvantaged communities around the world.

To mark World Humanitarian Day 2021, which this year focuses on the impact of climate change on the world’s most vulnerable people, we are proud to showcase the considerable efforts of our client Apollo Tyres and charity partner the British Asian Trust. Both are playing important roles in helping humans and animals fight back against the effect of global warming and other sustainability problems.

British Asian Trust

Climate change, along with the rising human population, has seriously reduced animal habitats and caused a 60% decrease in wildlife globally since 1970. Nowhere is this loss of biodiversity more visible than in Asia. The British Asian Trust, through its partnership with conservation organisation Elephant Family, engages local experts and indigenous communities to conserve ecological diversity and promote the happier coexistence of people and wild animals.

In Myanmar,  measures such as seasonal electrical fencing and training on living around elephants have helped more than 44,000 subsistence farmers protect their crops from  these hungry creatures. Projects in India seeking to expand and reconnect fragmented protected wildlife areas mean there are now 9,000 square kilometres of contiguous protected forest in the state of Karnataka.

Another crucial component of managing biodiversity and protecting ecosystems is the reduction of invasive species. Elephant Family promotes the removal of weeds such as Lantana camara by highlighting how it can be used to make crafts and furniture and become fuel for the biomass industry. This introduces a financially viable approach to sustainability for local communities.

Earlier this year, Elephant Family conducted CoExistence, a public environmental art exhibition that raised funds for grass-roots conservation projects through sales of life-sized elephant sculptures. More than one hundred have been sold to supporters including Cher, Nick and Holly Candy, and Lord Jacob Rothschild. The campaign has raised over £3m raised and amplified the importance of grassroots conservation efforts at a global level.

Apollo Tyres

The company views its sustainability work not just as a “good to have” but a “must have” attribute for long-term business operations. It sees the preservation of biodiversity as key to mitigating the impact of climate change. In partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India, Apollo has worked to conserve mangroves with the aim of preserving India’s coastal habitats. Additionally, Apollo has helped  restore ecosystems in over 27,000 square metres of rivers and ponds..

Apollo’s afforestation projects have led to the planting of 350,000 teak and red sandal trees. As part of its work to reduce environmental pollution and contamination, the tyre firm launched the SPARSH programme. It tackles the problem of solid waste management in India, where around only 30% of collected waste is treated.

Between 2020-21, around 1,300 metric tons of waste were collected and treated through door-to-door collection and awareness-generation activities, in partnership with local communities. Apollo also recycles waste tyres by constructing playgrounds. Other SPARSH initiatives include construction of toilets and bathing spaces for more than 200 people, establishment of water purification plants for 500 households and installation of biogas plants to promote the use of renewable energy.

In acknowledgement of its work towards mitigating climate change and protecting vulnerable communities, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India awarded Apollo the CSR Excellence Award in  2019.

The planet is undoubtedly in environmental peril. But as UN Secretary-General António Guterres said recently, “Inclusive and green economies, prosperity, cleaner air and better health are possible for all, if we respond to this crisis with solidarity and courage.”

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Curzon PR is a London-based PR firm working with clients globally. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Business Development Team [email protected]