What Are Carbon Offsets?
Almost everything we do releases carbon into the atmosphere - from driving our cars to watching TV to buying clothes! Carbon is one of the most significant contributors to global warming and climate change. Each and everyone of us has something called a carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is basically the amount of that is emitted into the atmosphere as a result of our day to day activities. Offsetting emissions is a voluntary act as it is up to each individual to make a difference and take responsibility for their impact on the environment. A carbon offset is the act of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Basically you are paying to 'remove' the equivalent amount of carbon that your activity (i.e. driving a car) emitted. For example, driving a small car on average emits 2.4 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere. A small car offset will effectively remove that amount of carbon from the atmosphere. Carbon offsets (otherwise known as carbon credits) generally remove carbon from the atmosphere through preventative methods like energy conservation.
What Does Carbon Neutral Mean?
By purchasing a carbon offset your car, house or flight will be carbon neutral. This basically means that the carbon emitted from your activity is counter-balanced through the offset you purchased. So you have emitted X amount of carbon into the atmosphere but you have then removed that same amount, thus making your carbon emissions neutral. Living a more sustainable lifestyle includes reducing your emissions and in the long term becoming carbon neutral.
Can I Just Offset All My Emissions?
The point of carbon offsets is not to offset your emissions and continue to lead a lifestyle that is detrimental to the environment. Carbon offsets are the last step in reducing your emissions - you should try to minimise your emissions and then offset your emissions which are essential i.e. driving a car. Becoming carbon neutral is a three step process - Measure your emissions, Reduce your emissions and Offset your emissions.
What Are The Different Types Of Carbon Offsets?
We have a range of carbon offsets to help you reduce your carbon footprint and offset your emissions. Your car, flight, house or business can be offset by Solar REC's or Waste Recycling. For more information please click on the links below:
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Car Carbon Offsets
Today driving is one of the essentials in life and many people can't live without a car. Emissions from driving contributes significantly to your carbon footprint and your impact on global warming. Help reduce your carbon footprint with a car carbon offset.
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Flight Carbon Offsets
Flying is one of the worst contributors to carbon emissions as it is directly emitting into the atmosphere. Did you know that one round trip flight from Sydney to Perth on a normal jet that is 80% full emits the same amount of CO2 as a medium car does in 12 months? Fly guilt free with a flight carbon offset. |
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House Carbon Offsets
No matter how hard you try to reduce your homes environmental impact by conserving power and natural resources, its likely your home will still have a carbon footprint. Our household packages allow you to offset unavoidable CO2 emissions from you home for one year.
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Commercial Carbon Offsets
Make your company an environmental leader in your industry with a business carbon offset. Your company can help reduce climate change with by offsetting the emissions your company. Offsetting your companies emissions is one of the biggest steps to reduce your companies carbon footprint and environmental impact.
We can help you calculate and reduce your company's emissions with our environmental assessment.
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Where Do Your Carbon Offsets Come From?
There are lots of ways to offset your emissions - from planting trees, to energy conservation, to renewable energy generation. At Todae, we have researched all the methods and providers of carbon offsets and have chosen the two best methods. All our emissions are 100% certified and accredited and we believe them to be the most transparent offsets on the market. We offer Solar REC offsets and Waste Recycling offsets.
What Are Solar REC Carbon Offsets?
RECs are basically an investment in renewable energy which are validated by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator. Solar REC's are usually generated from Solar Hot Water and Solar Photovoltaic Installations. RECs contribute to the renewable energy supplied to the electricity grid, which reduces carbon emission. By choosing a Solar REC offset, the equivalent amount of carbon will be removed from the atmosphere through putting solar power into the grid.
We have chosen to purchase only SOLAR power RECs because of our belief in the value of developing SOLAR power in Australia. For detailed information please click here.
What Are Waste Recycling Carbon Offsets?
Our waste recycling offset is sourced from the Australian Greenhouse Friendly (GF) Scheme, which is administered by the federal government's Greenhouse Office. For more info click here.
The project reduces waste heading to domestic landfill sites. Landfill sites produce methane as the organic matter decomposes. One tonne of methane is equal to 21-23 tonnes of CO2, and waste recycling credits help reduce the amount of methane in the atmosphere.
Waste recycling can generate:
- A massive 85% reduction in the amount of domestic waste sent to landfill.
- A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that exceeds national targets.
- Your waste recycling offsets will help fund the development and running of efficient recycling plants in local communities across Australia.
More information about this project can be found here
Are Your Carbon Credits Certified?
Our carbon credits (offsets) are 100% certified and accredited by the Federal Government's Greenhouse Office. We make sure that you get what you paid for and provide you with certification numbers to prove the offsets have been retired (so they can't be sold again) and a certificate for proof of purchase.
How Do You Calculate My Carbon Emissions?
It’s great to be offsetting your impact on the environment. Doing the responsible thing in today world is never easy and carbon offsetting is no different. The key challenge is measuring EXACTLY how much CO2 you use, be it via household, flight, or car emissions. It’s pretty much a guarantee that every company offering you the chance to offset will give a different value to your CO2 use for the same activity. Sometimes these differences can be up to 4 times higher or lower.
The reasons for these difference are scientific, or more accurately a combination of scientists being unable to agree on how to measure C02 emission and the highly complex way measurements need to be taken. Let’s take air travel as an example – aircraft inject their CO2 emissions high in the atmosphere resulting a greater damage to the environment. Some flight emissions calculators take this into account and some don't, resulting in a huge disparity. This is just one example of many.
Our packages take a balanced view using an industry leading carbon calculator. We would be happy to discuss how any of our packages and calculations in more detail.
Where Can I Get More Information?
We have a range of books and DVD's which explain the damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions and offer solutions and ideas to help reducing your emissions. Check them out:
Benefits Of Offsetting Your Carbon Emissions:
- Know that you are doing your bit to help the environment and help reduce climate change.
- Help to improve air, soil and water quality.
- Make your commitment to the environment and show your friends and family that you truly care for the environment.
- Contribute to the advancement of the renewable energy industry in Australia.
- Help slow climate change and ensure your grand children have access to the same world we do today.
If you would like more information please feel free to email us or call us on 1300 138 483 and ask us any questions! Our friendly staff will happily answer any question you may have.
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