IAN Blanchford, a Partner and Valuer at Helmores Estate Agents in Crediton, has reached a unique business milestone.

He recently celebrated his commitment to plant two trees for every property completion, with his 250th tree.

Through a partnership with Just One Tree, Ian committed to planting two trees for every property sale he completed as a proactive step on the path towards a low carbon, more sustainable future.

Tree-planting has a mind-blowing potential to combat climate change, with scientists estimating that a worldwide planting programme could remove two-thirds of all the emissions caused by human activities.

Ian said: “During the first lockdown in 2020 I really wanted to do something that was going to help the environment for the long-term.

“I have two little girls and I wanted to find a way to make a positive impact on the planet that they are inheriting.

“CO2 emissions are one of the greenhouse gasses causing climate change, but deforestation is responsible for 17 per cent of these CO2 emissions.

“That’s because a single tree can offset up to 250 Kg of CO2 in its lifetime. That means that once the trees that I have planted so far have matured (over 25 years), they will have removed 77 tonnes of CO2!

“In fact some studies suggest that planting trees is the most effective solution to climate change currently available to us. It’s exciting to be working to have a positive impact on the planet; increasing terrestrial and marine biodiversity, protecting against deforestation, improving livelihoods and combating climate change.”