SOCAN Special Topics: Are Carbon Offsets a Solution?
Kathy Conway
June 24, 2014
Disclaimer – I am not an expert. Some people have asked me about this so I
researched it and this is the information that I found. I have saved it on the web so you
can get the links.
1. Why reduce our carbon emissions?
The primary contributor to the warming of our planet is the emission of carbon
dioxide and methane. Our contribution to this problem per person is greater than
people in other countries - we should examine what we emit.
2. How can we reduce our carbon emissions?
a. Reduce our emissions – this MUST be the #1 priority. Take the train – not
the plane. Reduce at home. etc.
b. Carbon offsets – a choice when we have reduced all we can.
3. What is a carbon offset?
a. A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or
greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an
emission made elsewhere.
b. By purchasing carbon offsets, you help fund a project that prevents one
ton of greenhouse gases from being emitted for each ton that you have
caused. Carbon offset providers sell the greenhouse gas reductions
associated with projects like wind farms or methane-capture facilities.
Others include energy efficiency projects, the destruction of industrial
pollutants or agricultural byproducts, destruction of landfill methane, and
forestry projects.
c. Though they’re called “carbon” offsets, they offset all greenhouse gases
that cause global warming, from carbon dioxide to methane.
d. Example you may have heard about: Blue Sky (Blue Sky Carbon Solution
supports domestic and international renewable energy, energy efficiency
and reforestation projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions.)
4. If I want to do this, how do I start?
a. First Step: Do the Math. Calculate how many tons of GHGs you want to
offset. Consider a trip or in your home or business. Use an online
calculator such as the one offered by NativeEnergy (Carbon Calculator”
Choices for Business, Home, Travel). For example, a round trip flight from
Washington, DC, to San Francisco emits 1.46 tons of GHGs per
passenger.
b. Second Step: Find a place to purchase the Carbon Offsets?
i. We are talking about the voluntary market where individuals,
companies, or governments purchase carbon offsets to mitigate
their own greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity
use, and other sources.
ii. For example, we might purchase carbon offsets to compensate for
the greenhouse gas emissions caused by personal air travel. Many
companies offer carbon offsets as an up-sell during the sales
process so that customers can mitigate the emissions). For
example Airlines:
1. Continental (Carbon Offsets from Sustainable Travel
International)
2. Delta (Carbon Offsets from The Conservation Fund)
3. Virgin (Carbon Offsets from MyClimate)
4. Expedia (Carbon Offsets from TerraPass)
5. Travelocity (Carbon Offsets from The Conservation Fund)
6. SFO Airport (Carbon Offsets from 3Degrees)
7. United Airlines (Carbon Offsets from STI)
iii. Possible companies
1. Native Energy.com
2. MyClimate.org (offset for the trip SF to DC $42 with project
in developing countries)
3. TerraPass.com
5. How do you know if the source is reliable/not a scam?
a. Some environmentalists doubt the validity and effectiveness of carbon
offsets. Because the commercial carbon trade is an emerging market, it's
difficult to judge the quality of offset providers and projects. Trees don't
always live a full life, sequestration projects (for the long-term containment
of emissions) sometimes fail and offset companies occasionally deceive
their customers. And voluntary offsets can easily become an excuse to
overindulge and not feel guilty about it.
b. Go to a source you trust. I go to Green America (then search carbon
offsets) and look at their recommendations.
c. Other considerations (Green America)
i. offsets that support specific projects
ii. offsets that will cause carbon reductions that wouldn’t have
happened otherwise
iii. offsets whose GHG reductions will happen on a clear timeframe
iv.
third-party validated to ensure that your donation makes a positive
impact. (Google carbon offset companies that are third party
certified)
v. Avoid offsets based on tree-planting projects. Planting trees feels
good, however, there are much better offset programs than those
that involve trees.
d. Several organizations are currently working with offset providers to
develop a common standard for carbon offsets. Watch for future
developments.
6. Conclusion
Reduce your emissions first, then consider carbon offsets as a way of balancing
what you cannot reduce. Target – net zero.
7. Final note: This is saved on the SOCAN website if you want to see the links.
(http://socan.info/presentations-2/