Below you will find examples of the types of projects from which we source carbon offsets. The big question is: CER or VER?
CERs are emissions offsets created and verified according to the UNFCC Clean Development Mechanism. They are, generally speaking, considered more robust by virtue of the fact that they are verified through an official mechanism recognised around the world. However, these projects do not always meet the additionality criteria that are central to the creation of VERs. An example of this type of activity would be the implementation of fuel efficiency projects within transportation industries.
VERs are emissions offsets created and verified according to the Voluntary Carbon Standard, the initial implementation of which was launched in 2007. Although not recognised as acceptable for trading under the EU emissions trading scheme, the standard provides a robust mechanism by which projects that focus on creating verifiable offsets that satisfy additionality criteria i.e. the offsets would not have been created as a result of business as usual efficiency processes, and provide lasting social and economic benefits to the surrounding communities. These types of projects range from small scale hydropower installations and wind farms to biogas capture and fuel switch initiatives.
And it's the concept of additionality that we look for when sourcing offset instruments. This means that all offsets provided by the Zero Carbon Collective will be VERs.
To maintain transparency throughout the entire offsetting process, we only source offsets from regulated and recognised emissions trading brokers. All of our suppliers are regularly audited to provide assurance that your investment in the environment will go exactly where it’s intended to.
Below are links to examples of the types of projects from which the Collective will source your purchased emissions offsets. As the Collective has yet to commence its own emissions reductions projects, these may vary from time to time, but the requirements i.e. additionality, will remain unchanged.