Green Your Hajj!

Donate £5 to have a tree planted in one of our locations, offsetting your carbon footprint.
Plant a Tree

Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint refers to the measure of the impact an individual’s actions have on the environment. It is the amount of greenhouse gasses (carbon dioxide) produced in  day-to-day life through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation, etc. It is calculated with units of tons or Kg of carbon dioxide. It is made up of two parts; the direct footprint that is amassed from activities such as driving a car, and indirect footprint from aspects such as the carbon used to produce food and other goods.

A key aspect of reducing our carbon footprint and our impact on climate change is moving away from a materialistic culture where we consume huge quantities when far less is required to survive and live a fulfilling life. By reducing our consumption, we can reduce both our direct and indirect carbon footprint. 

Trees absorb a lot of our carbon output. One tree can absorb 21 Kg of carbon in a year. Recognising the huge benefit of planting just one tree can be instrumental in combatting climate change. We encourage you to consider planting one to offset your carbon impact generated from travel.

Your donation will be vital to combat climate change. We are partnered with Global One to make sure your trees are being planted in the most pressing regions.  Donation will be processed through their website.

 

Plant a Tree

“If any Muslim plants a tree or sows a field, and a human, bird or animal eats from it, it shall be reckoned as charity from him.” (Saheeh al-Bukhari)

How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Energy Consumption
This is something that you can do from your home by embracing the following aspects in your day-to-day life. 

  • Turn of lights when not in use 
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle 
  • Increase green spaces (plant trees) 
  • Use energy efficient light bulbs 
  • Save rainwater for use in the garden 
  • Fix faulty products rather than buying new ones 
  • Favour companies that use the least packaging in their products 
  • Shop locally, buy fewer products that require long shipping processes.  

 

Food & Drink
Excess eating is not only bad for health, but bad for the planet. The carbon produced to manufacture goods that we buy out of indulgence rather than necessity, is avoidable by reducing our consumption. 

 

  • Buy ethical and Fairtrade products that have less of a negative impact on the planet 
  • Minimise water use so or be more conservative with the water you do use 
  • Dispose of all rubbish and from those around you that do not 
  • Take an effort to recycle as much as possible 
  • Consider eating less meat- the energy required to produce meat is much higher than vegetables 
  • Turn your food waste into compost so that even when not eaten, food can have a positive impact. 
Travel
The Hajj is instructed to be a “once in a lifetime journey” for every Muslim. The Prophet (PBUH) himself only completed the journey once. Completing this journey once is more than sufficient, therefore instead of completing Hajj multiple times and increasing your carbon footprint each time, consider only completing it once and using the money you have saved, to fund another person to go on Hajj for their first time, or even donating to those in need.  

When traveling to Mekkah consider how environmentally friendly your travel agent or airplane company is. Many airlines arrange extra planes for the increased numbers of people wanting to travel during this time, ensure that you consider which is the best to reduce your carbon footprint. If possible, take a boat or other carbon-friendly mode of transport for part of your journey.   

Once in Saudi Arabia, choose to take public transport rather than individual cars. The quantity of people there make the journey very long, and by using the new Mekkah Metro you will save time as well as reducing your carbon footprint.  

Advocacy
As a guardian of this Earth, a duty given to you by Allah, you must continue your steps towards reducing your carbon footprint on return from Hajj. You are an example to others around you on how to care for the Earth, so ensure that you give a proactive example to them. 

Steps you can take include; 

  • Awareness raising by sharing this guide and website to others. 
  • Encouraging more environmentally friendly practices at all institutions that you interact with E.g. Mosques, schools, workplace. 
  • Supporting a fund to green your local area to inspire others. 
  • Pressure local government to take active steps towards climate action. 

Cox’s Bazar

Our partner organisation, Global One 2015, has provided maternal and infant healthcare at Cox’s Bazar refugee camp for the Rohingya people. This camp is home to hundreds of thousands of refugees and has required large areas of forestry to be used as timber for building facilities. It is an ideal location to begin replanting trees.
We hope you consider Cox’s Bazar as the place to have your tree planted. Your donation will guarantee a tree is replanted near to the refugee camp.