We believe in transparency and proper accounting.
A true carbon offset is an environmental commodity--it is the right to an amount of avoided or removed carbon emissions. Our offsets are supported by data. It's important to emphasize that we work to determining the actual greenhouse gas reductions available for the energy efficiency measures, and we continue to work through these calculations.
We note that these carbon offsets are not third-party verified or available on the open carbon market. This kind of verification adds both time and cost to the project. Instead, we rely on the high level of trust between the parties involved and a fully transparent calculation of the avoided greenhouse gas emissions.
The best way to understand how this works is to review the work we completed with the Cornerstone Project (be sure to check out the Technical Memo and How to Submit documents). We also note that the Human Resource Council's weatherization work is always backed by numbers - both costs and energy saved - and this is what we're using to determine the price of any offset we will offer.
Finally, we have a talented Footprint Fund Advisory Committee -- see About Us -- and together we are committed to transparency and accuracy!
We note that these carbon offsets are not third-party verified or available on the open carbon market. This kind of verification adds both time and cost to the project. Instead, we rely on the high level of trust between the parties involved and a fully transparent calculation of the avoided greenhouse gas emissions.
The best way to understand how this works is to review the work we completed with the Cornerstone Project (be sure to check out the Technical Memo and How to Submit documents). We also note that the Human Resource Council's weatherization work is always backed by numbers - both costs and energy saved - and this is what we're using to determine the price of any offset we will offer.
Finally, we have a talented Footprint Fund Advisory Committee -- see About Us -- and together we are committed to transparency and accuracy!
True Carbon offsets have strict requirements.
They must be:
MEASURABLE
There must be data to support the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions saved.
ADDITIONAL
For a carbon offset to be valid, it must fund greenhouse gas reductions that would not have happened otherwise. That is, the reduction is additional to the business-as-usual scenario. This is key.
VERIFIABLE
Although our offsets do not use a third-party to verify the projects, we will be fully transparent and have a technical advisory team with expertise in this arena who will review for accuracy and assurance.
PERMANENT
The carbon saved should not leak back into the atmosphere in the future. There are time bounds on most offset projects (20-30 years). Permanence is a big concern with forest and restoration offsets.
There must be data to support the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions saved.
ADDITIONAL
For a carbon offset to be valid, it must fund greenhouse gas reductions that would not have happened otherwise. That is, the reduction is additional to the business-as-usual scenario. This is key.
VERIFIABLE
Although our offsets do not use a third-party to verify the projects, we will be fully transparent and have a technical advisory team with expertise in this arena who will review for accuracy and assurance.
PERMANENT
The carbon saved should not leak back into the atmosphere in the future. There are time bounds on most offset projects (20-30 years). Permanence is a big concern with forest and restoration offsets.