Gaia continues to offset its greenhouse gas emissions by 200 %. Instead of just compensating for its negative climate impacts, it actually creates positive impacts by investing in projects that mitigate and help in adapting to climate change.
Gaia continues to track and measure its greenhouse gas emissions. In 2013, the company’s carbon footprint grew slightly, to 96 tons CO2 from 89 tons CO2 in 2012. This reflects Gaia’s overall growth of turnover and particularly its growing international business. Gaia’s carbon footprint includes its electricity use, heating, business travel, commuting, water use, paper use, waste, as well as laptops and mobile phones. Last year’s figures also include the emissions from Gaia’s 20th birthday celebrations.
Gaia systematically reduces its climate emissions wherever possible, e.g. by avoiding unnecessary travelling, favouring public transportation and choosing smart IT solutions. Gaia has been carbon neutral since 2007.
Gaia offsets its greenhouse gas emissions twofold through the purchase of emission reduction certificates from a credible offset provider in a Gold Standard climate mitigation project in Madagascar. The project involves manufacturing and distributing efficient, climate-friendly solar cookers, which save up to 50 % of charcoal or firewood.
In addition to reducing climate emissions, the Madagascar project helps in alleviating poverty, which is very important, because poverty can amplify the negative impacts of climate change. The solar cookers are also better for people’s health and they help local households to save money and time, as the need for firewood lessens. Gold Standard verification ensures that the project effectively promotes sustainable development and transparency.
“The decision to compensate our emissions twofold is part of our policy, and signals our commitment to walk the talk. Gaia, like all organizations and individuals, must reduce its negative climate impacts. Furthermore, in line with the message of the recent IPCC report, we need to seriously start adapting to climate change,” says Pasi Rinne, Chairman of the Board at Gaia.
Gaia works with both small and large clients in developed and developing countries to reduce their climate emissions and improve their energy efficiency with solutions that are good for the climate and for business.
More information:
- More on Gaia’s climate policy
- More on Gold Standard
- More on Gaia’s carbon offset project in Madagascar
- Pasi Rinne, Chairman of the Board, Gaia Consulting Oy, tel. +358 400 464 127, email: firstname.lastname@gaia.fi
