Innovation

Equilibratum came up with "Plan Verde", an innovative way to help reforest areas affected by heavy urbanization and implementing native trees in local houses, involving the community to achieve a Sustainable City and Community.

The process involved analysing the adaptability the different type of trees could have in order to coordinate their mobility to new locations in Guayaquil, were the flora and fauna would not be hurt by the real estate. This was the first time that a project of such magnitude was done in Ecuador.

Equilibratum follows its ideal on reaching not only a Sustainable City, but also taking action on Climate Change. The company believes that this type of projects, including its magnitude, will help to the expansion of green Urban growth for the development of the society itself. The chosen place was the home of a large amount of flora and fauna and it is the main reason why the idea came through the three organisms that took place: Equilibratum, Grupo la Joya (Real Estate company) and the Environmental Ministry.

In just a first phase, Equilibratum transplanted more than 1500 trees of various endemic species, some trees species with a span greater than 10 meters. The system (which the company is not allowed to get into details) allowed them to achieve more than 80% success. And the remained 20% was replaced with forest seedlings of these species. The innovation helped avoid these species to be in danger.

Residents of the project and part of the team of Equilibratum.

Inspiration

The inspiration behind the innovation was "to allow future generations to enjoy those forest species that we currently enjoy, in addition to mitigating the environmental impact that an uncontrolled urban project without socio-environmental vision causes," as Pinargote said.

Overall impact

According to Gino Pinargote and the analysis provided by Equilibratum's technical team, "the palpable impact was the relocation of more than 1500 endemic forestries, and even some in danger of extinction, in Guayaquil's landscapes design of each of the new urban planning projects."

In order to achieve the plan, it was necessary to hire 20 more employees. La Joya representative Gustavo Patiño said in an interview with a local newspaper El Universo, that Plan Verde "will let us improved the oxygen of our community and the standard living and the environment of our residents''.

Business benefit

First of all, the company was able to reinforce its connection with the Ministry of Environment, as they were able to demonstrate the profitability of a project of this magnitude in comparison to the Real Estate planning. The project not only produced a positive CSR, but also meant the hiring of new local employees. Plan Verde meant new opportunities to Equilibratum due to the effectiveness of the project and the economic impact it had (and saved) to the real state company as well as the environmental benefits in Guayaquil's greater area. Of course, it represented a notorious income to the company.

Social and environmental benefit

The greatest impact was environmental. Plan Verde was specifically designed to remedy the impact that huge urban projects can mean to our environment. The planting of more than 1500 trees in a month and approximately 2000 in two months translated in a notorious decrease in the CO2 emissions of the community.

The society's main benefit was a sense of community. Before Plan Verde started, Equilibratum carried a survey to verify the acceptance of the ecological idea among residents, and there was a significant willingness to participate. There are more than 6000 families in the area that will enjoy the greener areas and the opportunity to get a tree for free to their backyard.

Interviews

Gino Pinargote Ramirez, Managing Director

Eleana Romero, Project Manager