Site em Português
Becoming a “Zero Carbon” person
Climate Change is a very seriuos problem. It has already shead its effect on everybody, this will occur even more drastically in the following decades. The main component of climate change is the greenhouse effect caused by the release of carbon dioxide, among other greenhouse gases (GHG), the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, gas, gasoline, kerosene, etc.
However the greenhouse effect should not be regarded as impartial - there are choses that can be made, such as when choosing a "zero carbon" or "carbon neutral" person or company.
To become "zero carbon" is a way to take direct responsibility for your contribution to the greenhouse effect and seek to improve the situation. We produce greenhouse gases (GHG) in our day to day every time a car is driven, buses or airplanes are riden, we use energy. The concept of a "zero carbon" citizen is to compensate offset emissions from their lifestyle through actions that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere (carbon offsets). To compensate is to claim credits from from emission reductions achieved by "clean" projects that generate less GHG emissions such as solar, wind enegia, or energy efficiency; projects that capture or kidnap the carbon from the atmosphere, such as reforestation projects. For the purchase of these "credits", a person or company may reduce or even neutralize its net impact.
How to know my contribution to the greenhouse effect?
The first step is to have some idea about what is the volume of emissions that you or your company is responsible. To get an idea of your contribution, you can use our Emissions Calculator. In the case of the calculation of emissions of your business, there are more sophisticated methods that can be applied by our team of consultants. If you wish, request a proposal.
Having an order of magnitude of your emissions, you can take actions to reduce them, such as reducing the length of your showers, use of more public transportation, etc.. However, it is impossible to reduce your emissions to zero. To become "zero carbon", you must reduce your emissions and purchase "carbon credits" for the portion of emissions that you still have. This is a comfortable and economical way to become a national "zero carbon".
Some people may ask: but why should I pay for carbon credits, which are currently traded between companies with values of about 10 to 20 euros per tonne of CO2?
The values of carbon credits, quoted above, are for projects implemented under the Kyoto Protocol, which are sophisticated and regulated projects, hence its high price.
However, there is a range of voluntary initiatives to projects of neutralization, less regulated than those under the control of the Kyoto Protocol and therefore, with greater accounted values. To do so you it isn’t required to buy credits from sophisticated projects - you can contribute by planting and taking care of trees on your behalf!
The concept of neutralization is also flexible, ie being a voluntary initiative, you can choose to offset only part of your emissions, for example, emissions from your flights. Already there are sites and companies that sell airline tickets with an option to render, upon payment of an additional amount which will be allocated on a emissions reduction project or for the capture GHG.
What is being done in the world?
Several people and organizations are already doing the calculation of its inventory of emissions and neutralizing part or all through the purchase of credits, support of emissions reduction projects or capture of GHG projects.
In the ratified countries of the Kyoto Protocol treaty and that are in Annex 1 (developed countries) the inventory of emissions is mandatory for more pollutant activities. For less pollutant activities clean, countries outside of the Annex 1 and individuals, there are several initiatives to volunteer:
- Banco Bradesco in 2006 became the first Brazilian bank to make its inventory of emissions and neutralize its emissions through the purchase of thousands of trees in the project SOS Mata Atlantica.
- ABN AMRO Bank in 2006 also ran its list of issues and aims to become neutral in emissions over 2007.
- HSBC Bank neutralized their emissions in some locations around the world.
- Major world events such as Olympics, World Cup Football and Superbowl are becoming carbon-neutral.
- The mayor of Sao Paulo seeks to over the coming years, encourage those responsible for fairs that take place in the city to part or all of the emission of GHG.
- Airlines sell tickets with the option of neutralization of each individual emissions.
- Taxi Companie, florists, etc. are becoming carbon neutral, ie all activities of the company are neutralized with emission reduction projects or carbon capture.
- Hotels are beginning to offer carbon neutral accommodations.
- Major worldwide conferences promoted by the UN neutralize their emissions.
- Rock bands such as Rolling Stones are promoting "carbon neutral" tours.
