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Nitrogen Management Project Protocol Version 1.0 was adopted by the Reserve Board on June 27, 2012
U.S. and Article 5 ODS Project Protocols Versions 2.0 were adopted by the Reserve Board on June 27, 2012
Climate Action Offsetter: Chevrolet’s Carbon Reduction Commitment
written by Chevrolet
At General Motors, we believe that we need to increase fuel economy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions as far across the spectrum as possible. That is why we are developing more fuel-efficient vehicles that fit customers’ lifestyles, and striving to increase energy efficiency and use of alternative energy resources throughout our operations.
While we are making good progress in reducing our environmental impact, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to do more. The Chevrolet carbon-reduction initiative is an example of this approach. After all, the solution to environmental challenges goes beyond vehicles.
Chevrolet, our largest brand, made a bold carbon-reduction commitment in November 2010 to connect with Chevy customers through greenhouse-gas reducing projects in local communities here in America. Chevy now has 16 carbon-reduction project agreements in place around the nation, accounting for half of its 8 million metric ton goal, with more projects to be announced soon. This goal was based on the estimated emissions from the 1.9 million Chevy vehicles sold and driven in the United States in roughly a one-year period.
To give you an idea how much 8 million metric tons is, according to epa.gov, it equals the CO2 emissions of one year of electricity use in 970,874 homes. Or, the annual carbon dioxide reduction from 1.7 million acres of pine forest.
We have focused our investments in community-based programs that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy savings, renewable energy and conservation. For example, Chevy is supporting three landfill methane capture and combustion programs in Kentucky, North Carolina and Maryland. Chevy is also helping a greenhouse that grows gardening plants in Huntersville, N.C. replace natural gas with renewable biomass. It’s also supporting a 108-turbine wind farm, including seven community-owned wind turbines, that provides rural farmers and residents with locally generated power and financial returns.
From the start of this initiative, Chevy has engaged with environmental experts, non-government organizations and academics through the Climate Neutral Business Network to guide and inform the investments. The nonprofit Bonneville Environmental Foundation is helping find and support the projects. Their expertise and guidance has enriched the program in many ways.
We know a lot more needs to be done, but we feel that investing in these projects is a positive step for our environment and for local communities. Learn more about Chevy’s voluntary carbon-reduction initiative and show your support by planting a virtual tree on your Facebook wall.
Reserve Achieves Milestone of Issuing More Than 25 Million Carbon Offset Credits
The Climate Action Reserve has reached the milestone of issuing more than 25 million carbon offset credits, which is the equivalent to removing 4.9 million passenger vehicles from the road for one year. Each credit, called Climate Reserve Tonne (CRT), represents one metric ton of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that has been prevented from release in the atmosphere. In just over four years, the Reserve has established a highly valued commodity sought by major businesses and organizations to offset their emissions. With 141 registered offset projected located in 45 U.S. states and Mexico, the Reserve has developed a significant volume of CRTs to meet the growing demand for offsets in both the voluntary and regulated carbon markets, including California’s upcoming cap-and-trade program.
The project that pushed the total CRT tally beyond 25 million is the 200-acre Granger South Jordan Landfill Gas Destruction Project located in the Salt Lake area of Utah. Landfills release methane, a greenhouse gas that is 20 times more powerful at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. This Utah landfill captures methane gas and sends it to an energy plant for combustion or destroys it onsite.
“With 25 million metric tons of GHG emissions reductions achieved to date, the Climate Action Reserve has demonstrated the viability of the carbon market in mitigating climate change in a cost-efficient manner,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Reserve Board of Directors. “As more companies look to reduce their impact on the environment, they are turning to the most trusted carbon offsets program. The stringent standards, transparent processes and multi-stakeholder participation that the Reserve employs have earned market confidence that its emissions reductions are real, additional and permanent.”
From small businesses to international corporations, many organizations – including Sokol Blosser Winery, UPS, Google, NHL and Lollapalooza – are using Reserve offsets to reduce their impact on the environment and meet their sustainability goals. Of the 25 million issued CRTs, 3.5 million have been retired by organizations and individuals to offset their GHG emissions.
“We are proud to include Reserve offsets in our sustainability plan for carbon neutrality,” stated Matt Ellis, Associate Director of Sustainability at CBRE. “As the world’s largest commercial real estate services company, CBRE has strived to reduce our environmental footprint when possible and mitigate emissions that are unavoidable. Reserve offsets have been instrumental to our effort. The Reserve provides some of the highest quality carbon offset projects in the world, and has enabled us to make investments in emissions reduction projects in communities we serve.”
The Climate Action Reserve carbon offset program launched in May 2008, under its then-parent organization the California Climate Action Registry, to encourage market-based solutions to achieve GHG emissions reductions. The Reserve worked to ensure the environmental integrity, financial value and liquidity supply in the North American carbon market. The Reserve program encompasses 11 project protocols approved for use throughout the United States and two project protocols for use in Mexico that address emissions reductions from forests, urban forests, livestock operations, landfills, coal mines, organic waste digestion, composting, nitric acid plants, ozone depleting substances and rice cultivation.
In a strong testament to the high quality of the Reserve program, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted four Reserve protocols (forest, urban forest, livestock and ozone depleting substances) into the state’s cap-and-trade program. The use of offset credits generated through these protocols will allow for cost-efficient compliance by regulated entities, increased investment in low-carbon technologies, growth of green jobs and skillsets, and the integration of a broader range of our economy in the fight against climate change. The Reserve is currently the only registry whose standards have been adopted by the ARB.
New agriculture offset protocol expands opportunities for farmers to participate in the carbon market
The Climate Action Reserve adopts nitrogen management protocol for corn farmers to achieve emissions reductions through reduced fertilizer application
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Climate Action Reserve, North America’s premier carbon offset registry, adopted its Nitrogen Management Project Protocol today. The protocol provides opportunities for farmers to generate carbon offsets by implementing agricultural management practices that reduce the application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer to corn crops in the Midwestern United States.
Nitrogen is an essential element required for crops to grow, but the application of nitrogen fertilizer releases significant amounts of nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere. N2O is a greenhouse gas (GHG) 310 times more potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. More than two-thirds of all N2O emissions in the U.S. come from management of agricultural land. Through more efficient application of nitrogen fertilizer under this protocol, farmers can achieve reductions in GHG emissions, generate carbon offsets, earn revenues from participation in the carbon market, and continue to provide an important commodity to a growing world population.
“The agriculture sector plays a critical role in reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases as a voluntary source of emission reductions,” stated Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors. “Better agricultural management practices will provide readily available and low-cost solutions to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions and mitigate global climate change. We are very pleased to adopt the Nitrogen Management Project Protocol and provide an avenue for farmers to earn financial incentives as they help to solve the challenge of climate change.”
Due to significant variability in the potential to reduce N2O emissions created by different soil and climate conditions around the U.S., the first version of the protocol is only applicable to corn crops in 12 Midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. However, the Nitrogen Management Project Protocol is modular and designed to accommodate additional crop systems, geographic regions, and agricultural management practices as data and analysis warrant their inclusion.
“Carbon offsets are the 21st century crop for the agricultural sector. For far too long, the role of agriculture in climate change mitigation has been ignored, but appropriate attention to agricultural offsets is building a full head of steam,” said Debbie Reed, President of DRD Associates and Executive Director at Coalition on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (C-AGG). “Protocols such as this are absolutely necessary to allow farmers to harvest carbon in order to achieve a successful yield of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and increases in revenue streams. Market incentives can serve to reward farmers for stewardship activities, and done correctly, will ensure that the agriculture sector will play a serious and needed role in climate stabilization.”
While earned offsets can be used in the voluntary carbon market at this time, California state officials have indicated interest in incorporating agriculture protocols, including those that encourage improved nitrogen management practices, such as the Nitrogen Management Project Protocol, into its cap-and-trade program.
In addition to achieving economic benefits for farmers and reducing GHG emissions, the nitrogen management protocol also prevents the contamination of waterways and significantly improves local and downstream water quality, which in turn enhances wildlife habitat.
Draft Nitrogen Management Project Protocol Version 1.0 to be presented to Reserve Board on June 27
U.S. and Article 5 ODS Project Protocols Versions 2.0 to be presented to Reserve Board on June 27
Join us this Friday in Sacramento for a workshop on the offsets component of California cap-and-trade