What if we didn’t just reduce our footprint, but actually removed CO₂ from the air? VodafoneZiggo is ready for that challenge. Together with Danish company Klimate, we are taking a new step towards achieving our Net Zero goals. But what does this partnership look like, and which special projects are helping us get there? We asked Tristan Boevé, Carbon Removal Specialist at Klimate, and Morgane Patris, Senior ESG Manager at VodafoneZiggo.
The path to Net Zero
The Paris Climate Agreement is clear: companies need to work towards Net Zero — a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal from the atmosphere. To achieve this, companies reduce their CO₂ emissions as much as possible and neutralise any remaining emissions.
Morgane Patris, Senior ESG Manager at VodafoneZiggo, explains: “We aim to reduce the emissions of our own operations by 90% compared to our 2018 baseline. The remaining 10%? That will then be neutralised through carbon removal — literally removing CO₂ from the air. Because carbon removal is a specialist area, we looked for a strong partner. We found that partner in Klimate.”
A strong head start
“By taking action now, we have a wide choice of which projects we want to support and we can start building valuable relationships within this industry,” says Morgane. She continues: “Over the next five years, we aim to increase from removing 1% of our emissions (based on the 2018 baseline year) to 10%. Together with Klimate, we can do this in a controlled, step-by-step way. Starting early gives us a strong head start, since demand for removal credits is expected to rise quickly as we near the 2030 deadline.”
Klimate: a race to the top
Klimate is a Danish company specialising in Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR): the process of removing emitted CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it through natural, technological, or oceanic solutions. Examples include reforestation, biochar, and restoring coastal ecosystems. The sector is still in its early stages. "CDR is not widely known yet, but it can make a huge difference for the climate,” says Tristan Boevé, Carbon Removal Specialist at Klimate.
What makes Klimate unique is its unshakeable focus on quality. Tristan explains: “We approach projects like a venture capitalist. We carefully analyse their impact and risks. We don’t follow the crowd. If a project doesn’t meet our high standards, we don’t offer it. Instead of a race to the finish line, it’s a race to the top. Only projects that truly deliver make it into our portfolio.”
A perfect match
The partnership between VodafoneZiggo and Klimate began with a simple LinkedIn message at the right moment. Tristan laughs, “I didn’t know you yet, but I invited you to an event. It was pretty direct, but it worked.” For Morgane, the timing was perfect: “We were looking for a partner in Carbon Dioxide Removal and had already compared about twenty providers.”
In the end, the personal connection made the difference. Morgane says, “Klimate stood out because they were so involved. When we had a specific project in mind that wasn’t part of their portfolio, they jumped on it and checked it for us right away. They offer us the best of both worlds: expert guidance and freedom to select projects we’re genuinely excited about.”
Making impact with EthioTrees and Carboneers
Right now, VodafoneZiggo supports two projects: EthioTrees and Carboneers. Morgane actually discovered EthioTrees herself. “I found this project and was so excited,” she says. Klimate didn’t know it yet but quickly looked into it after Morgane asked. Tristan adds, “We’ve been impressed by EthioTrees’ initiatives to make sure carbon storage works in the long-term, like their 50-year monitoring plan. They've also shown they can keep operations running and support communities through geopolitical instability. It's clear they’ve created a project that’s built to last.”
EthioTrees: nature restoration and social impact
What’s special about EthioTrees? It combines restoring nature with real benefits for local communities. The project plants native trees on unused land to capture CO₂ . This stops land degradation, benefits the soil, and improves water management. It also creates new sources of income, such as selling incense and honey, which strengthens women's position and helps fund local schools. Morgane adds, “What appealed to me most was the academic base. It started as a scientific research into CO₂ storage and grew into this fantastic project that benefits the entire community."
Carboneers: turning waste into gold
The second project, Carboneers, transforms agricultural waste, such as coconut shells, into biochar — a charcoal-like substance produced by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen. This process locks carbon into a stable form, storing CO₂ in the soil for hundreds of years. Beyond this, biochar also improves soil water retention and fertility, which in turn supports higher yields. “Biochar is very effective. I was told that some was accidentally left on a patch of land, and over time the plants there began to grow exceptionally well,” says Morgane.
At Carboneers, farmers are supported with the training, tools, infrastructure (such as kilns), and monitoring systems needed to produce biochar. This enables them to turn agricultural waste into verified carbon removal credits. Today, the Dutch start-up works with a team of ten people across India and Ghana to tackle climate change, improve soil health, and create better economic opportunities for farmers through biochar.
Towards Net Zero together
With the partnership between VodafoneZiggo and Klimate now officially underway, Morgane is excited about what’s ahead. “In the past few months, our team has learned so much about carbon removal and the fantastic projects happening around the world. I can’t wait to share this story even more, both inside and outside VodafoneZiggo.”
The goal is ambitious, but not overwhelming. Morgane says, “We have big ambitions, but with Klimate as our partner, we’re ready for the challenge. We’re excited to scale up and explore more impactful projects together. Being on this Net Zero journey with them makes me very proud."