CARBON NEUTRAL

Companies, processes or products are considered carbon-neutral when  their greenhouse gas emissions are measured and offset by supporting  internationally recognised carbon offset projects. In addition to  avoiding and reducing the emissions (which are two key elements of  climate action), offsetting is an important step that helps to ensure a  holistic approach to climate action.

Carbon offset projects help to  remove or prevent greenhouse gases from staying in/or entering the  atmosphere through initiatives like forest protection, afforestation, or  renewable energy development. In addition, carbon offset projects  contribute to sustainable development in project countries, for example,  by ensuring the supply of clean drinking water or by developing local  infrastructures which create employment opportunities for local  communities and help to preserve biodiversity.

To obtain  certification, all carbon offset projects must meet the following  criteria: additionally, exclusion of double counting, permanence and  regular verification by an independent third party.

The term “climate neutral” is often used interchangeably with the term  “carbon neutral”. The latter is accepted as the official version and  established in international contracts. The main difference between the  two terms is that “climate neutral” considers all relevant  greenhouse gases (as CO2 equivalents), while “carbon neutral” focuses on  CO2.