FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Carbon Dioxide, or CO2, is a colourless and odourless gas that is a normal part of the air. Our consumption of fossil fuels such as oil and coal increases the level of carbon dioxide in the air. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which means that it helps keep heat in the atmosphere and the more carbon dioxide there is in the atmosphere, the warmer the earth can become. As we continue to burn fossil fuels such as oil and coal, we contribute to global warming.
What is global warming/climate change?
The Earth is surrounded in a blanket of greenhouse gases such as CO2 and methane. When the sun’s rays hit the Earth, most reflect off into space but some are trapped by these greenhouse gases. This process keeps the Earth’s temperature relatively constant and without these gases, the Earth would be either too hot or too cold. However, we are now creating far too much carbon dioxide which is being trapped and is causing the Earth’s temperature to rise. If the temperature of the Earth gets too high, it will seriously affect life on the planet.
How do I create carbon emissions?
Every time you drive your car, heat your home and turn the lights on, you are causing CO2 emissions. These emissions result from day-to-day necessities. There are also emissions that result from buying foreign goods such as food and clothing. If you purchase goods that are transported over a great distance instead of buying locally produced goods, you are indirectly creating CO2.
How much carbon pollution do I create?
Using figures provided by the Department of Transport and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), statistics show that the average household creates around 10 tonnes of carbon pollution every year.
A Carbon Footprint is a way of measuring the impact that humans have on the environment in terms of greenhouse gases. It is usually measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Carbon Offsetting is the process of cancelling out all or some of your carbon dioxide emissions. This is done by reducing your own emissions and by causing further reductions elsewhere.
European Union Emissions Trading Scheme
The European Union set limits on the amount of carbon that industrial businesses are allowed to emit into the atmosphere every year. For many of the most polluting companies, these allowances aren’t enough for their requirements. However, certain companies emit less than others and have some of their allowances left over. These spare allowances are then sold on the open market to the more polluting companies. It is called ‘Pay To Pollute’ because these businesses simply pay money to be allowed to create more carbon pollution.
When you buy your Carbon Offsets from us, carbon allowances are bought from the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) on your behalf, and are retired. That is to say that they can never be bought by another company and used again to allow the creation of more carbon pollution. By buying these allowances through this service, you are removing CO2 from the atmosphere. This trading scheme is government approved and is controlled in the UK by the Environment Agency.
The Government has set a national reduction target of 20% by 2012. However, most environmental commentators say that this is not enough. Therefore, we recommend that you become ‘Carbon neutral’ and reduce & offset your full 10 tonne average. After all, you've got nothing to lose under the Carbon Offset Solutions plan, because it is effectively free for you to do.
Why don't you just plant trees?
Reforestation projects are a great way to help in the fight against Global Warming, because plants absorb carbon dioxide. However, the scientific community differs about the standards that should be applied to measure their benefit, considering that plants will ultimately re-emit all of the carbon they have absorbed when they die. The aim of this service is to help reduce the amount of CO2 in the air through the purchase of Carbon Allowances, which are licenses to pollute, and to retire them so that they cannot be used to pollute.
How often should I offset my CO2?
To have the greatest impact, you should offset every year. We will send you a reminder close to your renewal date.
Can I offset CO2 on behalf of someone else?
Yes, you can gift offset credits and give them to whomever you wish. The personalised certificate that is generated after you have offset can be made out to the person that you are gifting the offset to.
What do I get when I offset my CO2?
When we purchase Carbon Allowances on your behalf, you are issued with a certificate which gives you the EU-ETS reference number of the carbon allowances that you have retired.
As well as your certificate, your Carbon Reduction Pack contains ten high quality energy saving light bulbs for you to use in your home (worth nearly £70 on their own) which will immediately begin to reduce your household carbon output by up to one tonne per year and will also save you up to £100 per year on your electricity bill. That is why we say that you will effectively be offsetting for free.
So all you have to do, is order your pack from us and then change your light bulbs when it arrives. We will do everything else for you.
Your pack also contains a car window disc and a key ring. These are designed to be an outward demonstration of your commitment to carbon reduction. The tag line is "I'm Carbon Neutral, Are You?".
As well as all that, you should get the 'feel good factor' too, from knowing that you are doing your bit to help combat climate change.
What do you mean when you say ‘Offset For Free’
When you install your new low energy 'Lifetime' light bulbs that are contained in your Carbon Offset Pack, you will reduce your electricity bills by up to £100 per year because they use only 80% of the electricity that a normal light bulb uses (figures from Energywatch). If you balance this yearly saving against the annual cost of your carbon offset then you will effectively be offsetting for free.
Why are the new light bulbs called 'Lifetime' bulbs?
In order that you can continue to 'Offset For Free', we renew the yearly guarantee on your low energy light bulbs every time that you renew your annual carbon offset - so you will be making the same electricity cost saving (and carbon reduction) every single year forever more. Whenever any of your bulbs stop working, we will replace them for free.
Of course, this also gives you the added benefit of never having to buy another light bulb too!
Aren't low energy light bulbs too dim, too big and have the wrong fitting?
Not at all. Our low energy light bulbs are full spiral compact bulbs and measure just 136mm from end to end. They are the low energy equivalent of a normal 90 Watt bulb and they have the standard UK bayonet type fitting.
It is true to say that if it was only you becoming 'Carbon Neutral', there would be little point. But ask yourself, "If I don't, who will?".
But it isn't just you. Thousands of people are joining in every year. Each one just trying to 'do their bit'. Every single person who takes responsibility for their own carbon pollution in this way makes a difference - and you can make a difference too.
Confucious said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".
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