|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |
|
Carbon Offsets: Creating Something Real from Hot Air
Written by: Paul SmithArticle Overview: You’ve probably heard about carbon offsets. They’re everywhere these days, and it seems not a week goes that I don’t hear about a company pledging to go carbon neutral. And yet, it all seems so…full of hot air. What’s real? What do they really do? Which will make the most impact? How are the different purveyors, well, different? I have a suggestion: Take a look at LiveNeutral. This non-profit gives you a direct path to making a tangible, tax deductible difference, and can educate your company staff as well, deepening the positive impact.
![]() |
Free Download - How To Reduce Waste At Shopping Malls By Paul Smith |
Carbon Offsets: Creating Something Real from Hot Air
You’ve probably heard about carbon offsets. They’re everywhere these days, and it seems not a week goes that I don’t hear about a company pledging to go carbon neutral. And yet, it all seems so…full of hot air. What’s real? What do they really do? Which will make the most impact? How are the different purveyors, well, different?
I have a suggestion: Take a look at LiveNeutral.
Why? Well on a basic, financial level, they are a non-profit. And? And that means that offsets purchased through them are tax deductible. More, you say? The resulting lower overhead means better priced offsets as compared to similar for-profit companies offering similar quality offsets.
Proceeds go towards education efforts around climate change, in schools, corporations, and more. LiveNeutral is quite passionate on this front, as they see the real difference being made when people choose to alter their actions to reduce their carbon footprint. When employees of a company that’s going carbon neutral have a deeper, more nuanced understanding of what exactly it is that their company is doing, it can cause a greater impact.
Where do their offsets come from? The Chicago Climate Exchange. Who are they? They are:
"…the world’s first and North America’s only active voluntary, legally binding integrated trading system to reduce emissions of all six major greenhouse gases (GHGs), with offset projects worldwide."
And this means? This means that it is directly correlated to emissions reductions at companies. CCX is composed of member companies that pledge a certain percentage reduction in their emissions each year. If they cannot meet that, they can purchase offsets from other member companies that are exceeding the reduction goal.
So that means you, as an individual or company, are able to purchase those same credits to support companies that are successfully reducing their impact on the planet. It also means that all offsets purchased through LiveNeutral make a difference that same year, and are not expired, as is the case with some other, bargain basement/large volume operators.
No smoke and mirrors here.
Article Tags: carbon footprint, carbon offsets, climate change, corporations, education efforts, emissions, full of hot air, greenhouse gases, member companies, north america, percentage reduction, pledge, proceeds, profit companies, purveyors, reduction goal, suggestion
|
About the Author: Paul Smith RSS for Paul's articles - Visit Paul's website I help forge truly sustainable businesses at GreenSmith Consulting. I bring to the table a wide range of skills and knowledge, an have an extensive network of resources to further extend the scope of what we offer, as needed. For both existing companies wanting to push the needle greener, and startups needing help effectively and authentically getting the message out and navigating the operational and strategic considerations involved, we can help. Getting an MBA in Sustainable Management from Presidio considerably strengthened my green business skills, helping make me attuned to how to do business in a way that's more profitable, well managed, and ecologically sound. I see possibilities where others don't. I make connections that others haven't yet. I help people to see them, and know how to best take advantage of them. My overarching talent is "bottom lining" complex ideas, in a way that is understandable and accessible to a variety of audiences, internal and external to a company. After all, if you have the greatest idea/product/service ever, and your employees or customers don't see the relevance to them, it doesn't really matter, does it? Click here to visit Paul's website Idea Blob An Infectious Way to Fund Your Green Business How to Green Your Mail How to Green a Restaurant pt 2 Eco Serviceware What Works Greening How You Take Green How Do You Spell Green Travel BWC |
Related Forum Posts
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
TRADE SHOW FOLLOW-UP: HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
How to Improve Your Time Management
Tips to Take Control of Credit Card Debt
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.



