Ministry of the Environment: Ecuadorian flower sector will be the first in the country to become carbon neutral

The goal of the flower sector is for 100% of its certified farms to achieve carbon neutrality in their operations by 2030.

One hundred and two flower companies joined the Ecuador Carbon Zero program and with this it is estimated that 64% of this production will promote actions towards more sustainable, low-carbon and climate-resilient processes to contribute to facing climate change.

The Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition highlighted this accession, which it considers an achievement led by the Undersecretary of Climate Change. These 102 companies are associated with Expoflores and certified in its Flor Ecuador scheme.

This comes after the signing of an inter-institutional cooperation agreement between this State portfolio and Expoflores, representative of the Ecuadorian flower sector, which will promote the quantification, reduction and neutrality of greenhouse gases in more than 2,600 productive hectares.

“The Government of Encuentro works on circular economy, sustainability, on proper water management as a priority; For this reason, it is an honor to share with a sector that has promoted good environmental practices in line with this vision. I congratulate Expoflores for this great step of joining the Ecuador Carbon Zero program to achieve carbon neutrality. I am sure that together we will make a productive and green Ecuador possible,” said Minister Gustavo Manrique.

Meanwhile, the executive president of Expoflores, Alejandro Martínez, indicated that as a sector they have set the goal of 2030 to achieve sustainability certification and now the goal of being carbon neutral.

The flower growing activity is one of the most important export sectors in Ecuador, with sales of almost $1,000 million a year.

In the last 17 years, flower companies certified with Flor Ecuador have standardized their production processes, managing to improve the economic, social and labor conditions of more than 28,000 families, also promoting gender equality and good environmental and agricultural practices, indicates a statement from the Ministry of the Environment.

Expoflores is the owner of the Flor Ecuador Certification scheme, which promotes sustainability in the country's flower sector, with the goal that by 2030, 100% of its certified farms will achieve carbon neutrality in their operations.