Twice the size of Wales

Having spent the last 5 years successfully raising funds to help sustain an area of tropical forest the size of the small nation (roughly 2 million hectares or 4.9 million acres), the Cardiff based charity, Size of Wales, now seeks additional support to double the area of protected rainforest, to twice the size of Wales.

 

Size of Wales currently supports 15 forest projects in Africa and South America. These schemes ensure forests are kept standing, to benefit local communities and tackle climate change. Launched in 2010 with the support of HRH Prince of Wales, the charity is supported by the Welsh Government, donors such as The Waterloo Foundation and by the Welsh public.

 

Carl Sargeant, Minister for Natural Resources said:

 

“We love what Size of Wales is doing, and we encourage businesses and the community as a whole to support them. There are few intergenerational challenges as important and urgent as combatting climate change and, as in many other areas, Wales is punching above its weight. This innovative scheme was developed in Wales and has received international recognition. The creative and important contribution made by Size of Wales forms part of our national response to this critical issue and shows how action on climate is also helping to support local communities. We are pleased to support the Size of Wales in this important campaign.”

 

Size of Wales board of trustees chairman, Peter Davies, who is also the Sustainable Futures Commissioner for Wales and Chair of the Climate Change Commission, said:

 

“Tropical forests absorb a fifth of man-made CO2 emissions and play a vital part in tackling climate change. We’ve been successful so far in mobilising a Welsh national response to protect forests and from next year we want to do even more. We hope businesses operating in Wales will step up and that Welsh people wherever they are will take part in this truly community-wide effort.”

 

Supporters of Size of Wales are linked directly to rainforest projects and communities, and their contributions assist the sustainable management of forest resources having a significant impact in reducing global carbon emissions. In addition to conserving existing tropical forests across Africa and South America, Size of Wales also supports local communities to plant trees for the benefit of people, wildlife and soils.