It is no secret that carbon emissions are an ever-increasing threat to our precious planet, affecting fragile ecosystems and changing the very nature of nature every single day.
The good news is that the solutions exist! And Earth Day is around the corner, an opportunity for us all to give our 2 cents to the planet by showing our commitment to decarbonisation, and transitioning to cleaner energy. At Deacrb.earth, we're doing our bit by making it even easier for you to do yours as a business owner.
This Earth Day 2023, we're giving our 2 cents to the planet, and encouraging other businesses to do the same by pledging to the planet with our Earth Day pledge. In exchange for your pledge - demonstrating your commitment to clean energy - we will be offering a discount on the cost of your solar installation for qualifying South African SMEs
We understand that sometimes it’s a little difficult to access the means to accomplish your sustainability goals, especially as a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in South Africa. And with the growing energy crisis making business and life even more difficult, it’s understandable that so many businesses are trapped in a Catch-22: the need for revenue to gain independence from a failing power supplier, but unable to go solar because of financial limitations caused by the failing system.
In honour of Earth Day, we're hoping to make this a little less of a challenge. Learn more.
2. Get a quote
Get a quote for a solar installation on or before 22 April*, and qualify for the above discount.
3. Sign-up
If you're already solar, you can sign up for our platform to showcase your carbon reduction to your customers and stakeholders
It all started in 2020, when founder and CEO, Marco Funk, had the vision to connect the stakeholders of our future in one place, where together we can create a sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come. Our vision is an alternative economy where decarbonisation metrics and consumer opinion are the measures of business success, and where organisations that operate sustainably are rewarded for doing so.
We know that many individuals and organisations share our concerns about our beloved earth, and want to take action. But, we also know it’s not as simple as that.
Installation of solar systems is currently an expensive undertaking, and, while funding is slowly becoming more available to SMEs for these types of projects in South Africa, it is still not accessible to many smaller businesses simply due to their size and perceived “high-risk” status when it comes to financiers.
In simple terms, we believe it should be made easier for businesses to reach their sustainability goals, and to be recognised for them when they are accomplished.
At Decarb.earth we take a three-pronged approach to solving this problem:
Aggregating SME clean energy projects in one place reduces risk and makes the funding opportunity more attractive to financiers and lenders. By installing your solar system through the platform, you get access to funding for your solar installation, and the repayment rate is 5% less than what you would be paying monthly for your on-grid electricity bill. The cost is also not as sensitive to annual rate fluctuations, meaning your savings stay consistent (if not increase) year after year.
The platform is not only for businesses looking to go solar but also for those who are already running on clean energy. The platform allows businesses to showcase their carbon offsets, transparently demonstrating their carbon reduction to stakeholders and customers and showcasing the role they are playing in reducing carbon emissions. As more of South Africa moves towards a green energy future, carbon reduction credentials will offer a competitive advantage for businesses.
Carbon offset tracking on the platform can help SMEs create verifiable emissions data. Measured offsets can then be sold to the carbon market and provide an additional source of revenue for businesses and provide a financial cushion.
Whether a business is looking to take the first step towards a greener future or make a bit of extra cash to boost their profitability, the multi-faceted approach on our platform means that a diverse collection of businesses can find value that is relevant to their requirements, especially this Earth Day.
Earth Day, 22 April, marks the anniversary of the first modern environmental movement in the United States in 1970 when the student anti-war movement was infused with public awareness about water and air pollution. The name of the movement was changed to Earth Day, and inspired 20 million Americans to take to the streets and protest the threat posed to the environment and human health by industrial development.
The first Earth Day led to the creation of multiple laws that have since shielded millions of people from disease and death and have prevented the extinction of hundreds of species. In 1990, Earth Day went global, mobilising millions of people in 141 countries. In the year 2000, the focus of Earth Day shifted to addressing the climate crisis and global warming. It's 23 years later and this issue still takes the spotlight, becoming ever-more urgent as the effects of carbon emissions threaten the habitability of our planet.
It is a well-known fact that the clock is ticking, and if we don’t make some major reductions to our carbon footprint now, we may pass the point of no return. We believe we can make a difference by helping other businesses make the switch to cleaner energy, and we invite you to take this journey with us.
The ultimate question this Earth Day is: what do we want the conversation with our past selves to look like in 10 years? "We could've done better", or, "We did everything we could"? The time to take action is now. Pledge to the planet with us!