United Nature, with whom we have entered into a marketing agreement, is providing lumber from sustainable sources in Panama, in order to help save natural forests devastated by clear cut deforestation. United Nature employs indigenous peoples at the plantations, thus providing economic opportunities to them and their economy.
Environmental Responsibility
The sustainable utilization and conservation of the tropical forests is now high on the world political agenda. Central to this is the question whether it is possible (technically, economically and socially) to harvest timber from suitable parts of the forests in a sustainable and environmentally acceptable manner. If the tropical forest is managed properly, the forest will survive. Otherwise, the forest is likely to disappear and with it all of the many benefits that the forest provides - not least of which is the supply of beautiful woods that form the core material of the timber trade.
Markets
There are two different markets for the sale of carbon offsets, the Voluntary Market and the Compliance Market.
The Voluntary Market: involves individuals, companies, and organizations who purchase carbon offsets voluntarily to mitigate or neutralize their own greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity use, and other sources. These groups are not obligated to purchase carbon offsets, but choose to for various reasons. Carbon offset products used in voluntary markets are generally referred to as Verified Emissions Reductions ("VER's").
The Compliance Market (or regulated market) involves companies, governments or other entities that buy carbon offsets in order to comply with regulations on the total amount of carbon dioxide they are allowed to emit.
Panama is being rediscovered for its enormous profit potential from growing Teak trees. Teak growth is limited to countries that are located between 20 degrees north and south of the equator, and Panama is one of the few countries in the world where Teak thrives.