"Carbon Planet believes that three things need to occur to resolve the climate change crisis:
1. Put back the trees that have been cut down, trees are one of the only mechanism for absorbing the current excess of greenhouse gasesGreenhouse Gases in the earth's atmosphere absorb and re-emit infrared radiation. The Kyoto ProtocolAn international agreement linked to the UNFCCC and sharing its aim of stabilising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, but requiring separate ratification by governments. The Kyoto Protocol, among other things, sets binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by industrialized countries. It entered into force for ratifying countries in February 2006 and commits developed nations to collectively cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 per cent of 1990 levels by 2012. Came into force in Australia on 11 March 2008. lists six major greenhouse gases, which vary in their relative warming effect. The six gases are: carbon dioxideA greenhouse gas that is produced as a by-product of oil and gas production, burning fossil fuels and biomass, as well as from all animals, plants, and a number of other natural sources. Carbon dioxide is the principal anthropogenic greenhouse gas that affects the earth’s temperature. (CO2), methane (CH4Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas with a GWP of 21. ), nitrous oxideAgriculture accounts for the majority of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in Australia, The transport sector also contributes to emissions of N2O. N2O has a high global warming potential of about 310 times that of CO2.it breaks down very slowly – over about 120 years (N2O), HFCs (hydrofluorocarbonsMajor releases of HFCs are from leakage from refrigeration equipment during operation and its end-of-life destruction. Minor releases arise from the use of HFC-containing aerosols, air conditioners and metered dose inhalers.HFCs have very high global warming potentials (140 to 11,700 times that of carbon dioxide).), PFCsMost emissions of PFCs in Australia are generated during aluminium production. PFCs have extremely high global warming potentials (5000 to 10,000 times that of carbon dioxide). However, because they are only released in relatively small amounts, their contribution to global warming is minor. Due to their stability they have very long atmospheric lifetimes (thousands of years). (perfluorocarbons) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is a man-made chemical. The major sources of SF6 release include leakage from electrical switchgear, from magnesium smelting processes and use in semiconductor manufacture. It has by far the highest global warming potential (23,900 times that of carbon dioxide), however it is only released in relatively small amounts.). from the atmosphere.
2. Change human behaviour - by reducing our demand on power and resources
3. Implement alternatives to fossil fuels - renewable energy.
Carbon Credits are a mechanism for making these three things happen.
In terms of where offsetting can fit into a business sustainability plan, Carbon Planet believes that offsetting with carbon credits is an important step in a 3 stage process:
Measure: Your carbon footprintA measure of the greenhouse gas emissions attributable to an activity; it is commonly used at an individual, household or business level. It calculates the direct and indirect amount of CO2-eCarbon dioxide equivalent. In order to compare emissions between the six Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gases they have been assigned a global warming potential (GWP) measured in carbon dioxide equivalents to reflect their influence on warming the atmosphere. GWP is a relative scale, where CO2 = 1. The other gases are given a number based on their effect on the atmosphere relative to CO2. For example, methane has a GWP of 21, meaning it has 21 times the amount of heating capacity of CO2. emissions produced. ,
Manage: your emissions through behavioural change and risk analysis,
Minimise: energy consumption and overall emissions - offset what you can't reduce today with certified carbon credits"