Why we're Different

There are many pitfalls that offset projects can fall into. In order to safeguard our clients from such risks we operate under a unique set of Principles that sets us apart from other offset providers.

 
Principle 1 We aim to educate our clients in the benefits of minimisation of energy use as well as the advantages of offsetting.

Principle 2 co2balance does not buy VERs (voluntary carbon offset credits) from other organisations.  Some offset organisations act merely as brokers, with the majority of their carbon offsets generated by third parties over which they have little or no control.  There has been adverse publicity about  such schemes recently with high-profile examples of project failure.  By using only offset  projects that have been initiated and controlled by co2balance, we can be sure that we are able to fulfil our promises.

Principle 3 Offset projects based on energy efficiency must occur in countries or communities where the majority of energy currently generated comes from fossil fuels.  That way we achieve the maximum carbon saving per £ invested.  co2balance sees no point in investing in, for example, a wind farm in New Zealand when 70% of that country’s energy is generated  from renewable sources.

Principle 4 All offset projects must be additional. co2balance operates under the concept of additionality. That means that the majority of the funding for our carbon offset projects must come from carbon offsetting clients.  It is useless to invest in a project that would have happened anyway as the client has not made a difference.  For this reason, we will never, as some offset operators do, sell ‘carbon rights’ to our clients that come from existing projects.  What is the use in buying the carbon rights in existing woodland or existing windfarms?  The chances of them being removed in the event that their operators are not able to sell carbon rights are very slim. Before investing with another offset organisation, ask how they guarantee that their funding will only go into new project activity.

co2balance only invests clients’ funds in new project activity. We will never sell offsets from existing projects to a client. Neither will co2balance invest in projects where just a few percent of the overall project finance comes from carbon offset sources; such projects would probably have occurred anyway.  Projects organised in such a way are merely offering ‘carbon rights’ in projects rather than actually funding their development.  There are also double counting issues with many commercial-scale renewable energy offset projects.

Principle 5 Forestry offsets must occur on land in the ownership of the offset organisation. It is no use us planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide on someone else’s land.  All the legal agreements in the world won’t protect the trees against development if it’s in the interests of the landowner.  co2balance only plants offset trees on land in its ownership and then passes the land to a Trust, whose only purpose is to secure the long-term future of the woodlands created.

Principle 6 Offset trees must be harvested and replaced before they die. If trees that have been planted to absorb carbon dioxide are allowed to die and rot, the greenhouse gases will be  released back into the atmosphere.  co2balance intends to harvest trees before they die and utilise the timber in longterm uses such as construction projects ensuring that the carbon remains locked up in the timber well beyond the life of the tree.  The resulting land will then be reforested.

… and for our part we:

• Use electronic communications, reducing consumption of paper
• Use teleconferencing facilities to avoid travelling to meetings and to save time.
• Allow staff to work from home avoiding the need to travel or to heat/light offices
• Recycle waste paper, print cartridges, kitchen waste, and electronic equipment
• Use public transport when available, lift-share to events, meetings, etc., to reduce fuel consumption
• Regularly service and maintain vehicles to ensure fuel efficiency
• Are seeking to implement renewable electricity generation at our homes and offices
• Use low-energy bulbs and energy efficient equipment
• All our staff are CarbonZero