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by Mike Morellato, B.A., M.Sc. (December 15, 2007) "Avoiding the root of the problem while seeking a temporary solution"
"Purchasing guilt-free tokens for business as usual"
"Throwing your money towards a mystery cause" I've heard just about every argument under the sun when discussing the greenhouse gas offsets model with friends and colleagues. After hearing these arguments for the first time, I often wondered whether the comments were justified or whether they were just a pile of excuses for not making the voluntary step (in the context of travel). For the purposes of this article, "carbon offsets" and "greenhouse gas offsets" are used interchangeably. Although carbon dioxide is considered an important greenhouse gas (GHG), it is not the only GHG that is offset through the numerous programs available worldwide. For those that are not familiar with greenhouse gas (or carbon) offsets, I would like to introduce a definition from The Climate Trust website: A “carbon offset” is an emission reduction credit from another organization’s project that results in less carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than would otherwise occur. Carbon offsets are typically measured in tons of CO2-equivalents (or 'CO2e') and are bought and sold through a number of international brokers, online retailers, and trading platforms1 . | Protestors outside a London office of The Carbon Neutral Company. Not everyone believes in the usefulness of carbon offsets, with this group relaying the message that they act as a diversion from real climate solutions. Source: Flickr website Usage: Creative Commons 2.0 |
Those that are not as familiar with all forms of carbon offsetting often link the concept immediately to reforestation or tree planting which can produce a carbon sink and help an individual, group or organization achieve a 'climate neutral' status. While this is a common form of carbon offsetting, there are various other types of useful offset projects that are listed below. This is important because a lot of controversy surrounding offsets seems to have its roots in reforestation project criticism. Discussion regarding these controversial issues will be explored later in this article. TYPES OF GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) OFFSET PROGRAMS |
SOLAR POWER
| Large scale photovoltaic cell production and installation is still quite cost intensive (relative to fossil fuels), so purchasing GHG offsets helps to subsidize this cost. Solar energy is emission-free (following production), can promote job opportunities in the 3rd world and is low maintenance. | HYDROELECTRIC
POWER
| While not considered entirely sustainable2 or renewable3 under many circumstances (e.g. Large scale damming, stagnant reservoirs), hydropower at a small scale is more economically feasible in a greater number of areas with GHG offset support. | FUEL EFFICIENCY | The idea behind this type of offset is to increase the efficiency of burning fuels such as petrol and wood as to minimize their economic, environmental and social (health) impact. Purchasing a GHG offset can assist users of these fuels - particularly in the developing world - to gain access to new burners resulting in lower emissions (among other benefits). |
| With a surge of enthusiasm and increased government support throughout the world in the last five years, wind power is gaining ground as a clean source of energy. Although capacity is growing at a fast rate even in some developing countries (such as China4 ), these projects are often an economic hindrance with needed support coming from GHG offset programs. | EFFICIENT LIGHTING
| As many converted homeowners now know, standard incandescent lightbulbs are quite inefficient, losing approximately 90% of energy as heat. A compact flourescent lamp (CFL) is approximately 4 to 5 times more efficient, using much less energy and lasting 8-15 times longer5. The purchase of GHG offsets focused on a lighting project will allow those that cannot afford to purchase or replace CFLs to assist in reducing load from fossil fuel-based power. |
PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION
| Even with a rise in cleaner burning and hybrid automobiles, our vehicles continue to impact the environment as a major source of GHG emissions. The creation and expansion of public transportation is supported by various GHG offset programs. It is estimated that 7.4 million tons of CO2 are reduced annually due to public transport in the US alone6. |
HEAT-ELECTRICITY COGENERATION
| I was able to experience a full tour of a new combined heat and power station while studying in Östersund, Sweden - fueled by dedicated biomass such as woodchips and felling waste. Projects such as these allow for a vast reduction in oil dependence, use of indigenous sources, the ability to capture otherwise lost heat, and other great benefits. A GHG offset focused in this realm will help to promote and establish cogen systems. | GREEN BUILDING | With well known certification systems such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), important changes to the built environment can now be made. These improvements range from energy efficiency to site impact assessment, and can be supported through some GHG offset programs. |
INDUSTRIAL
METHANE AND
OTHER WASTE | Collecting and burning waste from both industrial and agricultural processes is a sustainable waste management practice that can also be supported though offset programs. Methane has a high global warming potential compared to carbon dioxide7 and can be captured and converted to electricity. Agricultural biproducts such as manure can also be utilized to produce energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. |
REFORESTATION | This type of GHG offsetting, which dominates the offset market, is that of tree planting or reforestation. This method involves the sequestration of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere after the planting of new trees. In theory, this can help an organization or individual neutralize their emissions of this major greenhouse gas contributor. |
FUEL AND MATERIAL
SUBSTITUTION |
The final offset types introduced here deal with substitutions of materials or fuel . These substitutions work towards improving efficiency and/or reducing emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. Unfortunately, equipment improvements and other expenses leading to these substitutions can be expensive. GHG offset programs dedicated to this cause can help to subsidize the substitutions. |
For more information on types of greenhouse gas offsets, please visit the following site, which the table above was based on: http://www.carboncatalog.org/guide/types/ We now know the types of offsets that are available... but why should we invest in them, and how does this relate to travel? Although many organizations and individuals invest in GHG offsets irrespective of travel (e.g. Offsetting industrial operations), a significant driver for the birth of this model is the pollution caused by our local and international travel. While road transportation obviously amounts to a large portion of world CO2 emissions, the intensity (impact per passenger km) and diversity of air travel stands out as well. In addition to altering atmospheric concentrations of CO2, ozone and methane, airplane emissions lead to the formation of contrails while emitting water vapor, sulphur oxides, nitric oxides, nitrogen dioxide and soot8. Although there seems to be sufficient evidence linking our travels (particularly by car and plane) to global warming and atmospheric degradation, many travellers are hesitant to take that next step to offset their emissions while away from home. Yes, not everyone feels strongly enough about the environment to pay more for a trip voluntarily...but among those that do, I believe this unwillingness has its roots with both the public and the "carbon neutral" companies. I feel both must put forth more effort to keep GHG offsets transparent and useful. CarbonCatalog.org provides a great summary of some controversial issues surrounding the offset market by listing criteria that a quality offset program should adhere to. When it comes to investing in carbon or greenhouse gas offsets, the onus is on you as the consumer to ensure you are contributing to a true and efficient offset program. By doing your research and investing only in companies that have taken all the appropriate steps, you will help to add more credibility to certification programs and spur organizations to improve their business and operate more responsibly. If you've decided to contribute to GHG offset programs, what should you look out for? The following list explains this is simple terms. | ISSUES | SOLUTIONS
| | 1. The money you have invested in an offset program could be going to someone's new Corvette fund for all you know. | Make sure an independent 3rd party is involved with the carbon offset company and verifies the entire process. This will help you avoid fraud and the misuse of your money. | | 2. Purchasing carbon offsets has helped to introduce a new plantation forest... but 10 years later your altruism is erased. | A common argument when it comes to reforestation projects for carbon offsets. If a forest if burned to the ground or cut down after acting as a carbon sink, it will reintroduce CO2 into the atmosphere, reversing the initial goals set by the carbon offset project. Ensure the permanence of the project.
| 3. Your money is attached to a new carbon offset project... but the project would have happened anyways  | Often times your investment does not get a project off the ground, the company could already afford it. Also, the law may require an organization to invest in a new technology (for example), so your purchase of GHG offsets did not actually contribute to the needed change. Once again, certifications can help to keep the offset company honest. | 4. Before, during and after your investment is received, how are emissions being measured? | Measurement is very important when it comes to the carbon offset model. Companies must (1) properly estimate the quantity of greenhouse gases that would be emitted if a project didn't exist (baseline) and measure against it, (2) ensure that the reduction of emissions in one place doesn't lead to an increase elsewhere and (3) have accurate data on what emissions are still emitted after the project is completed and subtract this from the baseline. |
5. You are questioning all of the issues above, and more!
| Look to certification. There are various certification schemes that deal specifically with GHG reduction programs. A Swiss-based foundation called The Gold Standard is recognized by the David Suzuki Foundation and many other NGOs as as leader in emission reduction accreditation. Organizations such as this tackle the issues surrounding the legitimacy of GHG offset programs. By supporting only accredited programs, you will help to raise the bar and eliminate many concerns surrounding your investment. | | | |
Yes, there is a lot to consider if you are to support a legitimate carbon offset company. Nonetheless, foundations such as the Gold Standard makes one's decision much easier as they work to alleviate the major concerns surrounding this environmental economic model and provide a label to carbon offsetting projects. To ease your research efforts, independent websites such as CarbonCatalog.org simplify the process by allowing you access to a useful database of GHG offset companies with an unbiased rating included. The MyClimate foundation also boasts Gold Standard projects and supports non-profit organizations such as Sustainable Travel International. These companies have been emerging fast from out of the woodwork so it is important to know who is legit and who is not - most importantly, knowing where your investment is going. After doing more research myself, I am convinced that the process of purchasing carbon/greenhouse gas offsets can be fair and rewarding, and also of lasting benefit to the environment. I will also agree with what David Suzuki said when I saw him on the "If You Were Prime Minister Tour" - that at least in the short term, as we more towards cleaner technologies and methods, carbon offsets help to fill the gap. A certain amount of trust is ultimately put on to the offset company and also on a 3rd party to ensure the project is controlled and streamlined, but with the maturity of certification and carbon offset organizations, many purchasers believe this is a non-issue. In conclusion, I'm not going to start naming celebrities and musicians who swear by carbon offsets while on tour - I'll spare you the lame angle. Whether you have already supported offset projects or are thinking about it in the future, even Pearl Jam knows to do their homework before jumping into it blind. Oops, that one slipped. Would you like to comment on this article? Please voice your opinion below in the comment box - your input is welcome. Note: There is no need to fill in all boxes - but if you would like to be notified when someone replies to your comment, type in your email and choose "Notify" from the drop-down box |
Related links: David Suzuki Foundation, What You Can Do: Go Carbon Neutral: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/What_You_Can_Do/carbon_neutral.asp
A guide to offsetting your carbon emissions: http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/10/10/gies/
Why Offset? Focus on business: http://planetair.ca/modules/smartcontent/page.php?pageid=16
References 1. The Climate Trust (2005). Climate Trust - What is an Offset? Available online at: http://www.climatetrust.org/about_offsets.php
2. Plug into Green Canada (2008) Renewable Energy vs. Non-Renewable Energy. Available online at: http://www.plugintogreencanada.com/content/Renewable_Energy/167/43/0
3. Climate Action Network Canada (2003). CANet Report and Recommendations, Large Dams: Hydro. Available online at: http://www.climateactionnetwork.ca/e/action/events/implement-kyoto-conf.html 4. University of Alberta, China Institute (2007). China wind power capacity to rise 65 pct in 2007. Available online at: http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/chinainstitute/nav03.cfm?nav03=55230&nav02=50883&nav01=43092 5. Wikipedia (2008). Compact Fluorescent Lamp. Available online at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp 6. Shapiro et al. (2002). Conserving Energy and Preserving the Environment: The Role of Public Transportation. Availabe online at: http://www.fypower.org/pdf/RES171664_shapiro.pdf 7. Wikipedia (2007) Global warming potential. Available online at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming_potential 8. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (1997). Aviation and the Global Atmosphere. Available online at: http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc/aviation/index.htm
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