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Climate Action Offsetter: The Climate Action Reserve
Throughout the year, we hear interesting and inspiring stories about how companies, groups, events and individuals are using CRTs to balance out their emissions. But we are rarely the story teller. So this month, we’re taking the opportunity to be the featured Climate Action Offsetter and provide a view of a different side of our work.
Each year we calculate our emissions inventory using the General Reporting Protocol of The Climate Registry, a nonprofit GHG emissions registry that sets consistent and transparent standards for inventory reporting. Our emissions inventory is independently verified by an ANSI-accredited verification body and publicly registered for full transparency.
For our emissions profile, we calculate our direct emissions (fugitive scope 1 emissions from our office refrigerator), indirect emissions (scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity), and optional reporting emissions (scope 3 emissions from business travel and employee commuting, and optional scope 2 emissions from natural gas). We calculate our purchased electricity by using the TCR General Reporting Protocol Area Method, which applies our percentage of square footage in the building to the buildings usage and average occupancy rate. We track all business trips and calculate travel emissions based on mileage and method of transportation. And we conduct thorough employee surveys regarding staff commutes to and from work to calculate emissions based on the method of commute.
During the calendar year 2011, the Reserve was responsible for 124 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions. The Reserve fully offset its annual emissions through the Climate Action Reserve Blind Trust, which was created to coordinate the purchase and retirement of Climate Reserve Tonnes (CRTs) while avoiding any potential conflict of interest or appearance thereof.
Offsetting our emissions inventory is the final component of our sustainability program. We recognize that offsets are an important tool to meeting emissions goals, but must be paired with a strategic plan to reduce emissions as much as possible. We have adopted several green initiatives to reduce our operational impact on the environment and climate.
We offer a flexible telecommuting schedule for staff to work from home one day or more per week, thus preventing transportation emissions. We also subsidize Metro cards to foster greater use of LA’s public transportation system by staff. Approximately 57 percent of our staff commute by public transportation on a regular basis.
Our office supply purchasing policy is to buy recycled or compostable products when available – in most cases, such options are available! Our communications materials are printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper with vegetable-based inks. We have completely done away with the traditional fax machine and have opted to receive/send fax messages electronically online via myfax.com.
We conduct the majority of our presentations via webinar which greatly reduces travel emissions, costs and time. Our webinar participants come from all over the globe, and have expressed appreciation for the online-based instruction as they may not otherwise have been able to participate.
Next on our list of green initiatives to tackle: looking at feasible options for composting in the office!
Our Favorite Climate Cartoons from Tom Toles, Washington Post
Here at the Reserve, we really enjoy the wit and humor of editorial cartoons. In previous blog posts, we shared our favorite cartoons from Joel Pett (Lexington Herald Leader) and David Horsey (Los Angeles Times). Today, we’re very pleased to share our favorite climate cartoons from Tom Toles, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for the Washington Post. Mr. Toles provides hilariously smart commentary on the languorous progress of climate action through his cartoons. To view more of his work, please visit the Washington Post website.
Revised policy for continued registration under ARB approved protocols
Errata and Clarifications released for the U.S. Landfill Project Protocol Versions 4.0, 3.0, 2.1, and 2.0
Rice Cultivation Project Protocol Version 1.1 Now Available
Climate Action Offsetter: The Philadelphia Marathon
written by the Philadelphia Marathon
Photo by Jim McWilliams / The Philadelphia Marathon
The Philadelphia Marathon is a government-produced event that ranks among the nation’s top-10 largest marathons. At more than 30,000 runners, 60,000 spectators and 3,000 volunteers, the event has emerged as more than just a race, but a platform for many impactful causes.
Race organizers have created a sustainable event that helps preserve Earth’s natural resources while also transforming the Philadelphia Marathon into a model for eco-friendly sporting events.
Through new environmentally-responsible initiatives and partnerships, the Philadelphia Marathon achieved an 87-percent diversion of waste away from landfills during last November’s race.
The Philadelphia Marathon collaborated with Green Mountain Energy, the nation’s longest serving energy retailer, to offset about 1.3 million pounds of CO2 emissions – the entire carbon footprint of event. That act served the energy equivalent of taking 116 passenger cars off the road for a year or if 250,500 households turned off all their lights for one day. The marathon’s emission profile included emissions from race vehicles, electricity used on race day (from diesel generators and from being plugged into the grid), electricity used at the Health & Fitness Expo (a free two-day event that is open on Friday and Saturday, preceding Sunday’s Philadelphia Marathon and Half Marathon), runners’ mobile emissions, and runners’ air travel emissions.
A significant benefit of being one of a few municipally-operated marathons is that the Philadelphia Marathon shares strong relationships with City departments. The Philadelphia Marathon partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service to recruit Waste Watchers — volunteers stationed among hydration stops and at the start/finish line to educate race attendees on how to properly sort trash, recycling and compost.
The added sustainability initiatives and partnerships resulted in:
- Recycling 700 lbs of used Heatsheets, which are made of a metalized low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and distributed to warm-up runners at the finish line
- Collecting 9,840 lbs of discarded outer layers of warm-up clothing and donating them to the Bethesda Project, a local nonprofit organization assisting the homeless population
- Recycling over 450 excess runner’s bags and recycling their contents
- Composting more than 600,000 cups used during the races to drink water and replacement fluids
- Melting down and recycling over 100 pounds of excess runners’ medals
The successful initiatives align with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and the City of Philadelphia’s sustainability plan which focuses on more than 160 initiatives in the targeted areas of energy, environment, and engagement, in addition to economy and equity.
Marathon sustainability efforts were the result of collaboration among City departments and programs including the Office of the City Representative, Streets Department, Police Department, Mayor’s Office of Community Service (R.I.S.E.), Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service.
Friday, Nov. 15 through Sunday, Nov. 17 will celebrate the Philadelphia Marathon’s 20th anniversary. Race organizers plan to continue serving as one of the most sustainable marathons in the country through eco-friendly initiatives. To register online, applicants can visit www.philadelphiamarathon.com.
California Agency Secretary and Government Relations Exec Join Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors
Natural Resources Secretary John Laird and Marnie Funk add more depth, experience to a diverse group of Board members
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors elected two new members who strengthen the organization’s ties to the State of California and together add new perspectives and depth to the Board. The new members join at an exciting time as the Board advises on the organization’s strategic direction and operations while it serves California’s cap-and-trade program and looks to support other regulatory programs. John Laird, Secretary for the California Natural Resources Agency, brings a wealth of experience in and commitment to environmental conservation and public service. And, Marnie Funk, Senior Government Relations Advisor at Shell, brings a strong background in government relations and communications where she has worked on supporting Federal climate change legislation.
“We are extremely honored to have Secretary Laird and Ms. Funk join the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors. Both have accomplished careers and will bring unique insight and perspectives to the Reserve. Their contributions will be valuable in helping chart our future growth and development,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and Founding Partner of Clean Tech Advocates. “These two individuals further demonstrate the balance of corporate, environmental, academic and government perspectives that is a cornerstone of the Reserve’s Board and which is truly unique.”
Secretary Laird was appointed to his position by Governor Jerry Brown on January 5, 2011. As Secretary, he oversees the California Natural Resources Agency’s work to restore, protect and manage the state’s natural, historical and cultural resources. Secretary Laird has served the public for 35 years of his career, including serving the maximum three terms in the California State Assembly. During his terms as an Assembly member, he authored 82 bills that were signed into law, including the bills that established the landmark Sierra Nevada Conservancy and significantly expanded water conservation
“The Climate Action Reserve has deep roots in California, and while I have interacted with it over the past several years, I have consistently been impressed with its work to protect our environment and its commitment to offset integrity. I am pleased to join its Board of Directors and be a part of its ongoing mission,” said Secretary Laird.
Ms. Funk has been a leader in Shell’s public presence and government affairs since she joined the corporation in 2007 as Vice President of Communications. Currently, she serves as Senior Government Relations Advisor and Director of CO2 Advocacy. Prior to joining Shell, Ms. Funk managed communications for the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee and the House Resources Committee.
“I am honored to join such a stellar Board. I have been impressed by the Board members’ individual reputations and the Board’s collective reputation for ingenuity, leadership and vision. I am pleased to join the effort, under Gary’s inspired leadership, to navigate the next steps for the Reserve,” said Ms. Funk.
Buyer liability insurance now available for California’s cap-and-trade offset program
In a unique alliance, Parhelion offers insurance on compliance offset credits that originate from the Climate Action Reserve
LOS ANGELES, CA and LONDON – The Climate Action Reserve, North America’s premier carbon offset registry, and Parhelion Underwriting Ltd., the leading innovator for carbon market insurance products, today announced a unique, strategic alliance to support the delivery of the first insurance product for compliance offset credits in California’s Cap-and-Trade Program. Under this alliance, Parhelion is offering insurance against invalidation for compliance offset credits that were transitioned from credits originally issued by the Reserve and the Climate Action Reserve will share its unrivalled experience and deep insight in to North American carbon offset projects, thereby, supporting the wider market development and helping its clients solve a critical risk issue.
“Invalidation of offset credits has been a concern for the market, especially for compliance buyers. While the Reserve has a well-established reputation for its knowledge and experience in reviewing offset projects and ensuring that offsets have real environmental integrity, we are always looking for ways to further protect our account holders and market participants. So, we are very excited to enter this agreement with Parhelion and be a part of this pioneering initiative,” said Gary Gero, President of the Climate Action Reserve.
The insurance product, Parhelion California ARB Offset Credit Invalidation Insurance, covers ARB Offset Credits (ARBOCs) that were transitioned from Reserve-issued Registry Offset Credits (ROCs) or Early Action Offset Credits (EAOCs). The insurance underwrites the risk of invalidation of ARBOCs, removing the financial risk associated with this from the holder of the offsets. This private insurance of the most trusted offset credits provides the assurance and security being sought by the market.
“We saw a definite need in the market for insurance covering offsets in California’s cap-and-trade program. Not wanting to commit to a risky move ourselves, we conducted exhaustive research into the offsets program and found the Reserve has an outstanding history of thoroughly analyzing projects and issuing only high quality offset credits. We are delighted to be benefiting from the Climate Action Reserve’s extensive experience and knowledge. It will give us the opportunity to provide their clients with even greater confidence in the offset created,” said Julian Richardson, CEO of Parhelion Underwriting Ltd.
The offsets program of California’s cap-and-trade market represents a key means for regulated companies to keep their costs of compliance manageable, which means extra costs are not passed on to consumers. It also provides a way to incentivize non-regulated industries to reduce their emissions. Parhelion’s offset credit insurance provides additional confidence for buyers and sellers to participate in this program.
“We designed the cap-and-trade program to ensure the integrity of the emission reductions and had hoped and expected that the private insurance market would provide a solution to backstop our right to invalidate improper offsets,” said Mary Nichols, Chairman of the California Air Resources Board (ARB). “We are very happy to see that such a product is now available and congratulate Parhelion and the Climate Action Reserve for their fine work.”