Fairmiles Case Study

21 Nov 2024

Tambuzi’s Impact on Livelihoods in Africa through Sustainable Rose Production and Airfreight

Introduction to Tambuzi. Tambuzi is a specialist supplier of traditional scented garden roses, located on the foothills of Mount Kenya. Founded in the mid-1990s by Tim and Maggie Hobbs, the company has transformed a derelict farm into a leading producer of sustainable flowers, recognised for balancing commercial success with a commitment to community development and sustainability. The farm operates on 25 hectares of rose and summer flower farms, with expansions into sustainable forestry, beekeeping, and livestock. Tambuzi is renowned not just for its high-quality flowers but also for its dedication to social and environmental impact.

Employment and Social Impact. Tambuzi is the largest employer within a 20-mile radius, with over 500 full-time employees in a region dominated by small-scale farming. The company prioritizes hiring from the local community, with 80% of employees living close enough to walk to work. Each worker supports six to ten dependents, meaning Tambuzi’s employment positively impacts more than 3,000 people.

The company champions fair labor practices with written contracts and career development programs, supported by its Health and Safety, Equality, and Welfare Committees. Over half of its workforce has been with the company for more than five years, reflecting strong employee retention.

 Sustainability and Environmental Practices. Sustainability is at the core of Tambuzi’s operations. The farm uses eco-friendly methods such as solar-powered irrigation, covering 60% of its water needs, and collects rainwater runoff to avoid depleting local rivers. Tambuzi has been a carbon-neutral farm since 2019 through its participation in the UN Climate Neutral Now campaign, in partnership with One Carbon World. For five years, the company measured its carbon output, reduced emissions where possible, and purchased subsidised legacy offsets for approximately 5,980 tonnes of carbon annually. This allowed Tambuzi to account for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, despite the financial challenges often associated with comprehensive carbon neutrality.

However, with the UN campaign being phased out, Tambuzi is now exploring new strategies. It is collaborating with the Kenya Flower Council (KFC), which is developing a sector-specific measurement tool for carbon emissions. While Tambuzi remains committed to offsetting its carbon footprint, it recognises that continuing to address full Scope 3 emissions may require additional support from its customers.

The company is also shifting its focus to local insets—projects that enhance biodiversity and natural capital, such as soil enrichment and tree planting. Tambuzi aspires to become carbon positive, exploring land transformation and biochar initiatives. The farm has made increased soil carbon counts one of its key performance indicators (KPIs) for all employees, fostering collective responsibility for environmental stewardship.

Airfreighted Flowers and the Challenge of Sustainability. One key factor in Tambuzi’s success is its ability to access global markets through airfreight, delivering fresh, highly perishable roses within 24-48 hours to destinations like Europe. This enables Tambuzi to maintain the premium quality and scent of its roses, which would not survive the longer transit times required for sea freight.

While airfreighting poses environmental challenges, it remains essential for Tambuzi’s business model. The farm continues to explore ways to balance this need with its commitment to sustainability. Tambuzi has long operated at heightened social and environmental standards, having been a KFC Gold farm for many years, a certification that highlights its adherence to rigorous best practices.

New Certification and Future Goals. In addition to its longstanding sustainability efforts, Tambuzi recently became the first flower farm in Kenya to achieve B-Corp certification, joining a global movement of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance. This distinction underscores the company’s ongoing dedication to doing business responsibly and its leadership within the floriculture industry.

As Tambuzi looks to the future, it is committed to finding new ways to enhance its sustainability efforts. The company aims to integrate biodiversity conservation, carbon-positive initiatives, and continued social impact into its strategy. With the right support from customers and industry partners, Tambuzi hopes to continue transforming lives and protecting the environment while growing some of the world’s most beautiful and fragrant roses.

 

Conclusion. Tambuzi’s impact on rural livelihoods and its dedication to sustainability sets a powerful example for businesses in Africa and beyond. Through its commitment to local employment, fair labor practices, and environmental conservation, Tambuzi demonstrates how agribusiness can create lasting social and economic benefits. Its reliance on airfreight to reach international markets presents a unique challenge, but the farm continues to explore innovative solutions that support both its commercial success and its sustainability goals. As Tambuzi transitions from carbon neutrality toward carbon positivity, it remains a leader in responsible flower production, ensuring a brighter, greener future for both people and the planet.

Article written by Fairmiles