Ship anchor chains have caused massive damage to Posidonia, an endangered aquatic plant unique to the world, in the waters of Formentera. To emphasize the importance of this plant for the preservation of the Mediterranean ecosystem, Cofidis and the Vellmari Association have replanted 1,500 specimens of this species in “La Pradera Cofidis,” a specially mapped area in the waters of Formentera.
On the occasion of World Climate Day, the financial institution and the association reaffirm their commitment to sustainability and are working to restore the presence of this precious plant in the Mediterranean, which is threatened by human impacts and environmental changes. With the support of the leading financial services provider, the Vellmari Association aims to restore 30% of Posidonia oceanica.
“If we have life on this planet, it’s because we have water. We still have the opportunity to turn the situation around, but we can only do so if we act together,” explains Manu San Félix, marine biologist, founder of the association, and researcher at National Geographic. “Supporting companies like Cofidis is crucial to promote initiatives, raise awareness of social responsibility, and motivate more people to take action to protect the environment,” he adds.
These legally protected meadows in the waters around Formentera are characterized by their outstanding ability to naturally purify water and store carbon. Posidonia contributes to the supply of sand to beaches, protects the coasts, creates crystal-clear water, preserves biodiversity, combats climate change, and acts as a natural indicator of water quality.
In parallel with the replanting of 1,500 Posidonia specimens on Formentera, Cofidis is collaborating with streamer and influencer Pereira to raise environmental awareness. As part of the well-known content creator’s personal hair transplant procedure, the Replantados campaign is presented through a humorous commercial simulating a hair transplant clinic, but actually turns out to be an ecological initiative.
This advertisement, intended to go viral, ultimately depicts a group of people on a boat replanting Posidonia in the sea. The initiative is being shared through Cofidis and Pereira’s social media channels to raise public awareness in an emotional, original, and humorous way.
The recent replanting of Posidonia in the Cofidis meadow is just one of many initiatives Cofidis is undertaking to promote environmentally friendly practices. One example is the Cofidis Forest, a project launched in March 2022, in which the company has committed to planting a tree for every loan taken out. More than 200,000 trees have already been planted through this initiative, equivalent to reforesting over 103 football fields and absorbing more than 8,100 tons of CO₂.
“With the creation of the Cofidis Meadow, we want to take care of the ‘forests’ of the Mediterranean, as human impacts and environmental changes threaten this important underwater lung,” says Albert Cañete, Director of Human Resources at Cofidis.
This socially responsible company has announced that it will continue planting Posidonia annually in the Mediterranean, thus reaffirming its commitment to the environment both in the water with the Cofidis Meadow and on land with the Cofidis Forest.
Through the #LikeMyPlanet initiative, Cofidis is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting the responsible use of the planet’s resources. This is achieved through, among other things, special measures adopted by all employees, a commitment to digital solutions, ensuring an increasingly sustainable building and avoiding food waste.
