There is a lot of press attention about becoming carbon neutral. Invididuals, families and business are voluntarily choosing to “offset” their footprint as well as implement more sustainable practices at home and in business.

Being carbon neutral refers to reducing your carbon footprint to the lowest practical level by reducing the amount you consume, recycling, reusing and minimizing physical and energy wastage and then purchasing Verfied Emission Reductions (carbon offsets) to counteract those emissions that remain.

Offsets purchased will pay for a Pacific Green project or initiative that will result in quantifiable less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere either through rainforest ecosystem restoration, forest protection or tree planting programs. This may even contribute to the protection of a forest that is home for a culture that continues to live sustainably there.

Here are some examples of CO2 emissions

• 500 litres of standard diesel = 1.37 tonnes
• 500 litres of gasoline = 1.19 tonnes
• Return air travel from Los Angeles to Vancouver = 1.03 tonnes
• Return air travel from New York to Los Angeles.= 2.3 tonnes
• 1,000 litres of fuel for a private jet = 6.89 tonnes (including radiative forcing)
• 4 hours of flying in a single engine helicopter  = 1.7 tonnes

• Individual ------- 19.73 Tons per annum
• Couple ---------- 39.46 Tons per annum
• Family ----------- 61.95 Tons per annum

This is mainly from the burning of fossil fuels associated with vehicle use and air travel as well as for energy consumption related to electricity and heating.

Our Offsets

Pacific Green plant mixed, native species including pine, spruce and Douglas fir. We apply best practices in silviculture and forest health management and carefully consider soil type, seed region and climate to ensure that our forests get a good start and will be viable in the long term. We work hard to make sure that our forests resemble the naturally occurring forest as much as possible; we work for ecosystem value, not timber value.

We make sure that site stratification and planning takes into account opportunities for wildlife habitat and bio-diversity. We also make sure that we create opportunities to allow other tree species – particularly deciduous species – to encroach in project areas and support regeneration that is as natural as possible.

We carefully consider the habitat and ecological values of the land we use to develop projects. For instance, we make sure that our forests connect to existing stands in order to provide continuous wildlife habitat. We select land that has favourable conditions for forest health and low threat risk from fire, disease and insects.

Next Steps

If you wish to know more about how to reduce your impact as well as offset the footprint for your home or business please contact Pacific Green.