The summer behind us will be remembered for record-breaking high temperatures, tropical nights, and the growing need for shade in urban areas. According to meteorologists, July and August in Serbia were the hottest months on record, and the warm summer has extended into October.
It’s not just climate change responsible for these soaring “real-feel” temperatures but also the lack of trees in urban environments. This inspired Levi9 employees to launch Movement, as they saw an opportunity to make a direct impact through this socially responsible initiative.
Over three consecutive weekends, Levi9 volunteers participated in tree-planting events in Belgrade, Zrenjanin, and Sremski Karlovci. Alongside their families and friends, they planted a symbolic number of trees while enjoying time spent together. In total, they planted 3 x 19 trees—one for each year Levi9 has operated in Serbia, with offices in Novi Sad, Belgrade, and Zrenjanin.
Reducing the CO2 Footprint
Research shows that a single tree can absorb between 10 and 40 kg of CO2 annually, depending on its species, age, and growth conditions. Charging a smartphone generates approximately 10 kg of CO2 per year, on average. Similarly, using a laptop for eight hours a day produces a comparable amount. A 60W incandescent lightbulb, if used for just four hours daily, can also generate around 10 kg of CO2 per year—the same as the annual CO2 emissions of a refrigerator.
The math is clear: every activity we undertake leaves a CO2 footprint, contributing to the warming of our planet. For Levi9 employees, neutralizing their CO2 footprint was a key motivation for this tree-planting initiative. Trees absorb CO2 as they grow, directly helping to reduce the carbon emissions in our atmosphere. Through this Movement initiative, Levi9 will neutralize nearly one ton of CO2 this year alone.
Carefully Selected Trees
From Ginkgo biloba and purple-leaf plum to spherical black locust, ash, maple, and various cherry tree species, the list of planted trees was thoughtfully chosen to align with local urban greenery plans. A common feature of all planted trees is that they are mature specimens grown in pots. These trees are fully developed and ready for transplantation, ensuring faster growth and greater resilience to new conditions. This approach increases the likelihood of successful adaptation and maximizes their ecological contribution.
Levi9 IT organized the Movement initiative in collaboration with the “Plant Your Shade” campaign, led by the NGO Green Development Center, along with local governments and municipal greenery services.
Written by
Jelena Vasilev Novčić, Employer Branding Manager
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