Neutralising Your Carbon Emissions
In business and at home.
Today is the 21st of September, it’s also Zero Emissions Day. Which is a day where we’re asked to give the planet a day off. A pretty simple idea – switch off your appliances, don’t use the car. But, in reality pretty much everything we do in our modern lives creates some level of emissions. That is unless you want to live like Daniel Suelo. So what’s the solution? And what can we do about reducing and neutralising our carbon emissions at home and in business?
Well, one of the solutions is carbon offsetting. But before we dive into that, we need to look at reducing our emissions as much as possible first. There are some pretty simple steps we can all take to reduce our carbon emissions. From leaving the car at home to switching to a green energy deal for your gas and electricity. This article from The Guardian gives you 15 different ways you can make a difference.
As for our article, well it’s all about how you can neutralise the carbon emissions that you can’t reduce. And the main solution to this is, you guessed it, carbon offsetting. Which is something we’re investing in to make Kakadu HQ not just carbon neutral, but carbon negative.
First thing’s first…
Emissions being released into our atmosphere from factory processes.
What is carbon offsettinG?
Carbon offsetting is something you’ve probably already come across in your day to day life. Especially if you travel, as more often than not you get the option to pay a little surcharge to offset your flight emissions. But, what exactly are you paying for?
Well, the extra money you pay for your flight is taken by the airline and invested in projects that are working to reduce carbon emissions worldwide. These projects cover a whole host of different activities, from reforestation to clean energy initiatives. Meaning you’re funding a project that will capture or reduce enough carbon to balance out the emissions from your flight – well, your share of them at least…
Young trees ready for planting as part of a reforestation project.
Why is it so important?
We’re in a position where our planet is warming up at an unprecedented pace. All thanks to increasing levels of insulating gases being emitted into the atmosphere by human activity. And the figures are scary, really scary. If we all don’t make a change and try to do something about it then we’re heading for a dangerous future. Maybe not for us, but definitely for our children and grandchildren.
How can you offset your business and personal emissions?
The first step is to calculate your emissions. There are many calculators online but we like this one as it gives you options to work out your personal and business emissions. Once you have your total emission total in tonnes you can start offsetting.
Just like the calculators, there are many companies that trade in carbon offsets. However, not all of them are above board – where there’s money to be made there will always be people who will take advantage. But, never fear, as we’ve already done some research and recommend using The Gold Standard. They’re considered the most rigorous climate standard by many NGOs, including WWF. And we like the fact that they have so many different types of projects for you to support.
We’ve already invested in a number of different initiatives with The Gold Standard and will continue to invest each month. Ensuring that Kakadu Creative stays not only carbon neutral, but carbon negative.
Some of the projects we’ve supported
Kenya Biogas Programme
Domestic biodigesters provide a way for households with livestock to reduce their dependence on polluting firewood and expensive fossil fuels. Cooking on biogas is fast and smokeless, improving family health, especially among women and children. Leftover slurry from the biogas process is an excellent organic fertilizer that improves crop yields – and having more vegetables to sell, provides families with extra income.
Biodiverse Forests
By sourcing timber from primary rainforests the timber trade has significantly depleted tropical rainforests. CO2OL Tropical Mix is introducing sustainable timber production while reforesting degraded pastureland with a mix of native tree species and teak. The resulting forests offer a natural habitat for native animals and plants, protects and enriches the soil, save and filter water and contribute to the mitigation of climate change.
Clean Water Programme
In Laos, over 80% of households must boil their water to make it safe for their familes to drink. But with a water filter at home, they can produce their own safe water every day. Plus, the filters do more than just fend off thirst and illness. Without the need for boiling water, families are able to buy or collect less wood and fossil fuels, reducing smoke in the kitchen, and protecting Laos’ beautiful forests from further deforestation.
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