Greener Future: AAR Insurance and student partners plant thousands of trees for sustainability

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Director Mr. Hamis Mohamed (center), ARR Insurance Coast Regional Manager Julie Gaitho (right), AAR Insurance Group Head of Technology Eugene Sanya (left) and students of Al Nahyan participate in planting part of 40,000 trees at the school's compound to mark AAR' 40th anniversary. [Joackim Bwana, Standard]

Students from Mombasa and Nairobi joined Kenya’s Insurance giants AAR Insurance to plant 40,000 trees in an initiative to nurture budding environmentalists.

The Insurance partnered with students from Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mombasa County and Lenana School in Nairobi to plant 40,000 trees, an initiative that seeks to nurture young environmentalists in schools across the country.

Dubbed ‘A tree, a life’ program, the Insurance planted trees across all AAR branches in the country to mark their 40^th anniversary and underscores the company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

The Insurance firm also collaborated with Greenspace, Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), and Sandbox (SNDBX) to plant the trees.

AAR Insurance CEO, Justine Kosgei said the through the initiative, AAR is making a meaningful contribution to Kenya’s afforestation efforts essential to combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring a greener, healthier environment for future generations.

“Today, here in Mombasa and simultaneously across all our branches nationwide, we are planting the first of 40,000 trees each representing the trust our clients have placed in AAR Insurance over the past 40 years,” said Kosgei.

He said they have embarked on a nationwide environmental campaign to plant over 150,000 trees as they celebrate their 40 years in the sector.

Kosgei said that the initiative is part of our "A Tree, A Life" campaign, where they plant a tree for every insurance policy issued to serve as a tangible expression of the firm’s dual responsibility to protect individuals while also nurturing the ecosystems that sustain them.

“This landmark event marks the beginning of AAR Insurance's commitment to plant 150,000 trees throughout Kenya by the end of this year. The trees, including indigenous and exotic species, will support Kenya's afforestation efforts and help mitigate the effects of climate change and deforestation,” said Kosgei.

The CEO said the initiative was launched last year as part of AAR's INTENT campaign, that aligns its operations with the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework.

Kosgei said the campaign demonstrates AAR Insurance's dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and actively preserving natural ecosystems.

“Beyond carbon reduction, these trees will restore ecosystems, foster biodiversity, and enhance livelihoods. They will serve as living proof of our shared commitment to a sustainable tomorrow,” said Kosgei.

AAR Group Chief Financial Officer and Head of ESG, Hosea Kiprop said the collaboration with schools and other partners will ensure the planted trees are nurtured until maturity.

"With the '40,000 trees to mark AAR@40' initiative, we are taking meaningful action to reduce our environmental impact and contribute to Kenya's green agenda. This is a concrete commitment to the future health of our planet," said Kiprop.

Greenspace Chairman Andrew Mattias said the commitment to plant 150,000 trees this year will greatly contribute to Kenya's fight against deforestation and climate change.

"We are proud to partner with AAR Insurance in this significant environmental endeavor. This partnership exemplifies how businesses can lead by example in supporting sustainable practices. We, therefore, call upon other private sector players to join us,” said Mattias.

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Deputy Principal Junior School Mr. Sheikh Ngao Omar said planting of trees is a noble gesture and each student will have a tree to nurture.

“Planting of trees is a noble thing because it has its advantages. We will have each tree planted to each learner,’ said Mr. Omar