New approach to international forestry offset projects is introduced to the global market with adoption of Climate Action Reserve protocol

Board of Directors adopts Mexico Forest Protocol

SACRAMENTO, CA – Marking a milestone for the Climate Action Reserve – North America’s most trusted, experienced and knowledgeable carbon offset registry – and REDD+ initiatives, the Reserve Board of Directors today adopted the organization’s Mexico Forest Protocol. The protocol, which is the product of several years of collaboration, represents a new approach to international forestry offset projects. It was developed with an unprecedented level of involvement from ejidos (local communities), and as a result, reflects a high level of social and environmental safeguards. Another differentiating characteristic of the protocol is that it was developed with an emphasis on how it would be implemented in practice and how it would be viewed by policymakers in Mexico and California.

“The work of the Climate Action Reserve to support clean technologies and better forest management is precisely what we need to spur innovation in Mexico. This protocol will not only be of benefit there, but will support California’s ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while expanding business opportunities and job creation” said Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), who also chairs the Select Committee on California-Mexico Cooperation.

“The Climate Action Reserve’s work in developing rigorous forestry standards has garnered attention beyond U.S. borders, and the Mexico Forest Protocol is an excellent way to introduce this type of performance standard to international forests. It’s very characteristic of the Reserve’s work – collaborating closely with government agencies, environmental groups and the business community to develop a standard that protects forests and can be put to use in real world situations,” said Stephan Schwartzman, Director of Tropical Forest Policy at the Environmental Defense Fund.

The Mexico Forest Protocol provides a standardized approach for quantifying, monitoring and verifying greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits of forest carbon enhancement activities in Mexico. It can be integrated into larger initiatives to address forestry and climate change under evolving Mexico REDD+ policies, such as jurisdictional REDD+ programs. The protocol also creates a clear delineation between avoided deforestation, which will be credited under jurisdictional accounting rules, and enhanced carbon sequestration, which may be credited at the project level.

Like all other Reserve protocols, the Mexico Forest Protocol was developed through collaboration among a dedicated group of diverse stakeholders. Unlike all other Reserve protocols, the Mexico Forest Protocol will not be open for project submissions immediately after its adoption. Instead, the Reserve is actively engaged in the development of three pilot projects, which will allow the organization to learn from hands-on application of the protocol so that it may be improved and refined before being opened to the public more broadly. The pilot projects are being developed with national and local NGOs in Mexico and are following the advice and guidance of CONAFOR (the Mexican National Forestry Commission) and CONABIO (the Mexican National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity). One pilot project is located in the state of Mexico and two pilot projects are located in the state of Oaxaca.

“We are proud that our protocol for forestry projects in Mexico is the result of dedicated collaboration by a group of truly engaged stakeholders from forest communities, nonprofits, and state and federal government agencies. This protocol is unique in that it reflects the opinions and values from these diverse stakeholders and that it takes special care to address issues specific to Mexico forests. We strongly believe that this will establish a strong foundation for creating forest offset credits with true environmental integrity that can be used in a multitude of markets,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and Founding Partner of Clean Tech Advocates.

Errata and Clarifications released for the Coal Mine Methane Project Protocol Versions 1.1 and 1.0

We’ve achieved over 40 million metric tons of GHG emissions reductions!

We recently reached the milestone of issuing over 40 million Climate Reserve Tonnes! Learn more about the significance of reducing 40 million metric tons of GHGs and the project types that led to the achievement.

Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.0 to be presented to Reserve Board on October 23

Errata and Clarifications released for the U.S. Landfill Project Protocol Versions 4.0, 3.0, 2.1, and 2.0

Climate Action Offsetter: Environmental Responsibility a Core Function at Seattle City Light

written by Seattle City Light

Environmental responsibility is a core part of Seattle City Light’s operations, starting with the statement of its mission:

Seattle City Light is a publicly owned utility dedicated to exceeding our customers’ expectations in producing and delivering environmentally responsible, safe, low cost and reliable power.

In 2005, City Light became the first electric utility in the country to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions. It has maintained that carbon neutral status every year since, making City Light the greenest electric utility in the United States.

“We take our mission of environmental responsibility and stewardship seriously,” General Manager and CEO Jorge Carrasco said. “To fight climate change, we work to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as much as we can through energy conservation and renewable energy and then support projects that offset carbon emissions to make up for those we can’t avoid.”

City Light uses greenhouse gas offsets registered with the Climate Action Reserve and other third party organizations to offset its greenhouse gas emissions.

Seattle City Light uses hydroelectric resources for 90 percent of the power it provides to about 1 million people in the greater Seattle area. But that important resource is also one of the primary reasons City Light takes the additional climate action step of offsetting all its greenhouse gas emissions, including those created by the generation of electricity the utility buys, employees’ travel and the trucks and other equipment used in its operations.

Seattle City Light’s hydroelectric dams depend upon mountain snowpack to store water for generating electricity throughout the summer. Climate change that brings more precipitation as rain or starts the melt-off earlier in the spring would threaten the utility’s ability to generate the electricity it needs to serve its customers in late summer. In addition, the City of Seattle’s water supply comes from nearby watersheds, and changes to precipitation patterns could also impact those important resources.

“We want to do something about that,” said City Light Strategic Advisor Corinne Grande, who leads the utility’s offset program. “Starting at home was a powerful motivator.”

Each year, City Light offsets 100,000 to 300,000 metric tons of carbon emissions, depending on how much electricity the utility has been able to generate from its hydroelectric resources and how much power it has to acquire elsewhere.

Among the projects Seattle City Light has purchased carbon offsets from are:

Biodiesel fuel for Seattle area busses, ferries and garbage trucks
Shore power for cruise ships at the Port of Seattle
Aerobic composting of local food and yard waste
And methane recapture and destruction at dairy farms and landfills.

“Our small amount of money is not going to change the world, but hopefully it will encourage new and innovative projects and act as a catalyst for others,” Grande said.

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Share a comment below on your favorite green initiative from your utility, school or municipality and we’ll randomly select five commenters to win a handy front bike light!

Errata and Clarifications released for the Nitric Acid Production Project Protocol Version 2.0

The Climate Action Reserve continues driving California offset activity with issuance of Registry Offset Credits

Issuance of credits under California’s cap-and-trade compliance protocols continues wave of activity on the heels of announcement of first ARBOCs

LOS ANGELES, CA – Continuing to drive activity under California’s cap-and-trade program, the Climate Action Reserve, North America’s most trusted, experienced and knowledgeable carbon offset registry, issued Registry Offset Credits (ROCs) under one of the program’s compliance offset protocols. The issuance comes immediately after the California Air Resources Board (ARB) announced it is in the final stages of issuing the first ARB Offset Credits (ARBOCs).

“We have known the foundation of the compliance offsets program is solid, but this flurry of activity with offset credit issuance will breathe new excitement into the market. The issuance of these ROCs gives confidence in the continued momentum of the program. And, since these credits were issued by the Climate Action Reserve, their quality and integrity are well respected,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and Founding Partner of Clean Tech Advocates.

The ROCs were issued to an ozone depleting substance (ODS) project from EOS Climate. Through the project (EOS ARB ODS 2013-1), EOS Climate destroyed pure ODS refrigerant at the Clean Harbors Environmental Services hazardous waste combustor in El Dorado, Arkansas. This ODS was completely obtained from sources in the U.S. Because of the project, 107,542 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent were prevented from being emitted into the atmosphere. According to the U.S. EPA, this is similar to removing 22,405 passenger vehicles from the roads for a year.

“EOS Climate is very proud to be the offset project operator for this milestone project in California’s cap and trade program,” said Matt Jones, CEO of EOS Climate. “EOS, together with our operating partners, created a project management system for ODS refrigerant destruction projects that sets the industry standard for transparency, rigor, and environmental impact.”

ROCs are eligible to be transitioned by ARB into ARBOCs, which can be used to meet compliance obligations under the cap-and-trade program. ROCs are issued under the compliance offset protocols adopted by ARB under the cap-and-trade program. On September 17, the Reserve announced three early action offset projects registered with it were in the final stages of being issued ARBOCs. Early action projects are issued Early Action Offset Credits (EAOCs) under ARB-approved voluntary offset protocols, which currently are all Reserve protocols, and the EAOCs are eligible to be transitioned by ARB into ARBOCs.

California uses cap-and-trade program to reward early action in reducing GHG emissions

State to issue first compliance offset credits for early action projects registered with the Climate Action Reserve

SACRAMENTO, CA – Three offset projects that reduced the amount of ozone depleting substances (ODS) leaking into the atmosphere are in the final stage of being issued compliance offset credits under California’s cap-and-trade program. These projects, which were all registered with the Climate Action Reserve, represent early actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the credits, which will be issued by the California Air Resources Board (ARB), represent recognition and reward for these voluntary actions to protect our environment.

“When we were developing California’s AB 32, we had hoped companies would get a head start on reducing emissions through early action initiatives like these ODS offset projects. The state has a history of encouraging innovative work like this, and it’s very gratifying to see these projects officially becoming part of the cap-and-trade program. It’s also very fitting that these projects came from the Climate Action Reserve, which has played a strong supportive role of AB 32 from the very beginning,” said Linda Adams, former Secretary for Environmental Protection of the California Environmental Protection Agency and Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors. AB 32, also known as the Global Warming Solutions Act, is California’s landmark climate change and clean energy law under which the state’s cap-and-trade program was created.

The three ODS projects are expected to be issued a cumulative total of over 300,000 compliance offset credits, known as ARB Offset Credits (ARBOCs). This means that, together, the projects reduced the equivalent of CO₂ emissions from the consumption of 34,204,596 gallons of gasoline. The credits are compliance units and can be used in the state’s cap-and-trade program to meet compliance obligations. According to the cap-and-trade regulation, companies may use offsets to meet up to eight percent of their compliance obligations.

“Diversified Pure Chem, a leader in responsible refrigerant reclamation welcomes the conversion of EAOCs to ARBOCs. We applaud the California Air Resources Board in implementing the next phase of the Carbon Offset Program. Our company believes that the Carbon Offset Program is an important part of California’s overall emphasis on improving the environment,” said Bill Auriemma, President & CEO. Diversified Pure Chem has one project, CAR981, that will receive ARBOCs in this first batch.

The early action projects are especially significant because they represent emissions reductions that voluntarily occurred as a result of the adoption of AB 32. The compliance offset credits also will provide market confidence in the future supply of credits. Recently, the Reserve projected that in November 2016 the total number of qualifying offsets issued under the current ARB approved offset protocols plus two currently being considered by ARB – coal mine methane and rice cultivation – would near 60 million.

“The offsets program is a critical element of the cap-and-trade program because it allows regulated companies to keep the costs of compliance manageable without comprising positive impact on the environment. The Reserve is well known for its experience and knowledge and we are very confident in the quality level of credits we register. I think the market shares this confidence,” said Gary Gero, President of the Climate Action Reserve, North America’s most trusted, knowledgeable and experienced carbon offset registry.

Join us on Tuesday, November 5 for a webinar on updates to California’s Cap-and-Trade regulation

https://events.climateactionreserve.org/event/update-california-cap-and-trade-regulation