Colombian cannabis producer Clever Leaves announces it is carbon neutral

Clever Leaves announced on August 29 that it had received the international carbon neutrality certification from the 100% Carbon Neutral program. The company thus generates only 16 kilograms of CO per kilogram of dried flowers², whereas indoor cultivation practices generate as much as 2,300 to 5,200 kilograms of CO₂.

Representatives from Clever Leaves say it is the world's first vertically integrated medical cannabis company to have obtained international carbon-neutral certification.

«At the heart of our business, we strive to be a sustainable company,» said Andrés Fajardo, CEO of Clever Leaves.

«We are among the first major vertically integrated medical cannabis companies operating in the newly legalized sector, and it is our responsibility to build a sustainable and environmentally friendly industry from the very beginning. We believe there’s no better time than now to strengthen our commitment to sustainability, and we’re working to mitigate climate change wherever possible. We are proud that our flowers and extracts, sold worldwide, are grown and manufactured in a carbon-neutral environment. Furthermore, we believe this will also be important to our customers, physicians, and patients.».

Andrés Fajardo co-founded Clever Leaves in Colombia, leading the development of its first 18 hectares of GACP- and EU-GMP-certified cultivation and post-harvest facilities, as well as a GMP-certified extraction and formulation plant.

However, Clever Leaves isn’t done yet and will adopt passive techniques to harness solar energy and improve waste management practices. This also includes partnerships with local recycling organizations, reforestation projects, and rainwater harvesting. Thanks to these sustainable practices, the company reuses or recycles more than 50% of its waste.

Reducing the Cannabis Industry's Carbon Footprint

To produce one kilogram of dried flowers, Clever Leaves generates only 16 kilograms of CO2, whereas traditional «indoor» cultivation methods generate as much as 2,300 to 5,200 kilograms of CO2 per kilogram of dried flowers. The company’s energy consumption per kilogram of dried flowers is 62 kilowatt-hours, which stands in stark contrast to «indoor» cultivation, which can reach 5,000 kilowatt-hours.

Clever Leaves has operations and investments in the United States, Canada, Colombia, and Germany, and recently withdrew from Portugal.

Thanks to the implementation of sustainable practices, Clever Leaves’ carbon footprint totaled 318 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) for all production operations in 2022. In addition, Clever Leaves offset its remaining emissions by purchasing international carbon credits and supporting emissions reduction projects.

«The fight against climate change requires everyone’s commitment, but especially that of industry-leading companies. That is why working with Clever Leaves and helping it become the first Latin American company certified as 100% Carbon Neutral® has been a very rewarding experience that strengthens Latin America’s fight against climate change,» said Javier Segura, LATAM COO of the 100% Carbon Neutral Program®.

Canadian cannabis producer Hexo has also announced its goal of carbon neutrality in 2021, primarily by offsetting its emissions rather than reducing them. On our side of the Atlantic, the Swiss company Naturalpes was recently certified as a B Corp for meeting rigorous social and environmental standards that reflect its commitment to goals beyond shareholder profit.