Millennium Seed Bank
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Millennium Seed Bank is a UK-based company that is committed to conserving plant diversity for future generations. The company was established in 2000 as a joint venture between the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The Millennium Seed Bank is located at Wakehurst, a 500-acre site in West Sussex, which is managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The Millennium Seed Bank's mission is to collect, conserve and research the seeds of plants from around the world, with a focus on those that are rare, threatened or endangered. The bank aims to ensure that these seeds are available for use in conservation, research and education, and to support the restoration of degraded ecosystems. The bank's collection currently holds over 2.4 billion seeds from more than 190 countries, making it the largest seed bank in the world.
In recent years, the Millennium Seed Bank has also been committed to decarbonisation and reducing its carbon footprint. The company has implemented a number of measures to reduce its energy consumption and carbon emissions, including the installation of solar panels and LED lighting, and the use of energy-efficient equipment. The company has also implemented a corporate energy strategy, which includes a commitment to sourcing renewable energy and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
One of the ways in which the Millennium Seed Bank has achieved this is through the use of corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs). A corporate PPA is a long-term contract between a company and a renewable energy provider, which allows the company to purchase renewable energy at a fixed price over a set period of time. By entering into a corporate PPA, the Millennium Seed Bank has been able to secure a reliable and affordable source of renewable energy, while also reducing its carbon footprint.
The Millennium Seed Bank has also been involved in a number of renewable energy projects, including the installation of a wind turbine at the Wakehurst site. The turbine generates around 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which is enough to power around 400 homes. The company has also invested in the development of a biomass boiler, which uses wood chips as a fuel source and provides heating and hot water for the Wakehurst site.
In addition to its commitment to decarbonisation and renewable energy, the Millennium Seed Bank is also committed to corporate social responsibility. The company has implemented a number of initiatives to support local communities and promote sustainable development, including the development of a community garden and the provision of educational resources for local schools.
Overall, the Millennium Seed Bank is a company that is committed to conserving plant diversity and promoting sustainable development. The company's commitment to decarbonisation and renewable energy is an important part of its mission, and its use of corporate PPAs and investment in renewable energy projects demonstrates its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. With its world-leading collection of seeds and its commitment to conservation and sustainability, the Millennium Seed Bank is an important player in the global effort to protect our planet's biodiversity.