The CarbonNeutral programme is a 4 stage process underpinned by a set of rules called the CarbonNeutral Protocol. Key stages are: measure, make internal CO2 reductions, make external CO2 reductions through carbon offsets, communicate.  Some clients need us for only one element; for others, we work in partnership every step of the way. 

The value of carbon offset

Though the words are now more familiar, many clients are unclear about the process of 'carbon offset'.  The way it works is that for every 1 tonne of CO2 you are unable to reduce, you can pay for 1 tonne to be reduced somewhere else in the world (you buy a 'carbon credit').  Carbon emissions are thus counterbalanced by carbon savings.

There has been some criticism of offset in the past - because there was a sense that it was a way for companies or individuals to ease their consciences without making any real changes.  But offset is now firmly accepted as part of way in which we can tackle climate change:

• scientists and economists are lobbying for every tool to be used to reduce emissions
• even the 'greenest' individuals or companies are likely to have a proportion of CO2 which remains after all carbon management action.  Do they do nothing or offset?

There are other benefits to offsetting.  Not only does the process of going CarbonNeutral cut emissions 'at home', but the money paid for the carbon credits helps and enables lower carbon behaviours elsewhere in the world.  For example, one project we're involved in switches kerosene burners for solar panels (it's the sale of the credits which helps the project exist). 

Making it happen