The Channel Islands Cooperative Society and environmental standards company ESI Monitor and have launched a new carbon offset scheme for local transport users that combines offsetting with supporting on-island biodiversity projects.
Islanders will be encouraged to input their annual mileage and type of transport into ESI Monitor’s carbon calculator, which then presents their carbon footprint and price of offset. The money will be split between worthy green projects both worldwide and in Jersey, through the Jersey Community Foundation.
Mark Cox, CEO of The Channel Islands Co-operative Society said: “We are delighted to be sponsors of ESI’s Carbon Offset+ scheme. As a responsible retailer, we are committed to doing as much as we can to lessen our impact on the environment.
“We can all play our part in reducing our carbon emissions and only offset what we cannot reduce. This scheme is a great tool as it helps us understand the impact we have on our environment and recognise the simple changes that can be made. What’s more, the cost of offsetting carbon will help to fund many local environmental projects here in the island.
“We hope to encourage as many of our members, customers and colleagues to join Carbon Offset+ and see how they can minimise their emissions and make a real difference in our community.”
ESI Monitor hopes the scheme will encourage islanders to evaluate the impact that their actions have on the environment and inspire them to reduce their carbon footprint as much as they can in daily life.
“Urgent action is needed to mitigate climate change and its impacts,” said ESI Monitor Carbon Footprint Analyst Sylvie Lainé.
“In terms of our own emissions, the most important thing any one of us can do is reduce what we can and offset what we can’t”.
Climate change is driven by changes in the natural balance of the Earth’s atmosphere, which is influenced by many natural and anthropogenic processes. Rising greenhouse gas emissions are accelerating climate change faster than anticipated and the effects of this will be felt globally. These effects are expected to impact the availability of basic necessities including freshwater, food, and energy security.
“We are a long way from limiting global temperature rise to the Paris Agreement’s goal of 1.5°C in a carbon-neutral world by 2050. However, by offsetting carbon emissions and supporting green projects both locally and worldwide will start the transition to a more sustainable life.”
ESI Monitor’s Carbon Offset+ supports projects that absorb CO2e or prevent CO2e from being produced in the future. CO2e refers to carbon dioxide and equivalents, which include harmful emissions such as methane, water vapour, and nitrous oxide. Of the projects supported, 80% are certified, such as from the WWF Gold Standard, and 20% are non-certified projects that deserve support. What really makes the scheme unique is that it also supports environmental conservation and restoration projects in Jersey.
“Carbon offsetting is not new,” said ESI Monitor Sustainability Advisor Fred Betley. “However, it is not always possible to be reassured that signing up to a scheme will have the impact that you would like. By establishing this scheme, based locally and using certified projects, Carbon Offset+ will offset 100% of a given activity and additionally provide grants to biodiversity in the island through the Jersey Community Foundation.
“This gives islanders the peace of mind that they are helping the environment at the point of pollution and further afield.”
To sign up, individuals or businesses should visit the Carbon Offset+ website where they can enter the details of the cars, motorbikes, or boats they would like to offset, following which an annual charge will be calculated.
