At Bhode Vans, we craft bespoke campervans that reflect our customers’ values, lifestyles, and aspirations. But with every build comes environmental impact — from the embodied carbon in materials like birch plywood and recycled insulation, to the energy used in our workshop, to the emissions released by the vans once they’re on the road.
To address this, we’ve partnered with Ecologi, a leading reforestation and carbon offset platform, and planted 541 trees. This initiative marks a meaningful step toward reducing our environmental footprint and aligning our business with the sustainable values many of our customers share.
The Carbon Math: Why 541 Trees?
We conducted a full operational carbon assessment, accounting for emissions from:
- Energy consumption in our 1200 sq ft, off-grid workshop
- The manufacture and installation of materials including adhesives, sealants, and birch ply
- Recycled plastic insulation and campervan-specific appliances
- Estimated diesel usage for the first 1,000 miles of each completed van
Collectively, this amounts to an estimated 47 tonnes of CO2e per year for the production of 10 vans.
Given that a single tree can absorb approximately 21 kg of CO2 annually, our 541-tree planting commitment will neutralise the total emissions from our yearly operations over the course of a year.
Why Tree Planting?
Reforestation is one of the most effective carbon mitigation strategies available. Trees not only sequester CO2, but also enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and stabilise ecosystems. Through Ecologi, our trees are being planted in high-impact areas such as:
- Mangrove reforestation in Madagascar
- Wildlife corridor restoration in Uganda
- Native species rewilding in Latin America
This initiative offers both a measurable environmental benefit and a symbolic connection to the wild spaces our vans are designed to explore.
Sustainability as a Design Principle
A Bhode van is more than a means of travel — it’s an intentional space. Our customers expect thoughtful craftsmanship and high functionality, but they also increasingly value sustainability. With this in mind, we:
- Prioritise the use of low-VOC adhesives and responsibly sourced materials
- Encourage off-grid electric systems and energy-efficient appliances
- Explore new ways to minimise waste and improve insulation efficiency
Planting trees is one piece of a broader strategy to reduce our footprint, close the loop, and build with purpose.
A Forest for Every Journey
Moving forward, each customer will receive confirmation that the first 1,000 miles of their van’s emissions have already been offset — a small but meaningful gesture included with every build.
You can track our progress, see where our trees are planted, and explore Bhode’s virtual forest through our Ecologi profile.
Looking Ahead
This action isn’t the finish line — it’s the foundation for deeper impact. We’re proud to invest in climate resilience and support regenerative initiatives that align with how we work, travel, and live.
By making small, consistent choices that prioritise the environment, we believe we can leave every landscape a little better than we found it — and still enjoy the freedom of the open road.
