Offsetters is a Vancouver-based organization that aims to guide people and organizations seeking to reduce their climate impact. It was established through the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. Offsetters aim to provide greenhouse gas management solutions. Their platform is "Less Talk, More Action". Their social objective is to contribute the most to fight global warming and to help sustainable development in the local communities surrounding their projects. Around 80% of their funds received in 2006 were directly invested into projects.
Contents
History
In 2005, two professors from the University of British Columbia decided that many of the companies that offer offsets have huge overhead costs/profit margins and very little of the funds generated from offset purchases were used in the projects. They also found that many obtained offsets from questionable sources that may not provide real reductions in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. They founded Offsetters because they wanted more of what citizens invested to go directly into credible offset projects. Offsetters was originally conceived as a not-for-profit organization, but the mandate changed somewhat when it was bought out by Ledcor Group of Companies in 2010.
Operations
Offsetters invest in projects that take greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere or stop them from being emitted in the first place. All of the purchases for offsets are invested into carbon offset projects. By installing energy efficient heating systems on a large scale their projects offset the emissions from the client's activities, helping them to become climate neutral.
In order to stabilize the Earth's climate, Offsetters believe a reduction in global emissions by more than 70% is needed. The projects that are initiated and promoted by Offsetters aim to reduce greenhouse gas by 70% or more, and should sustain themselves once started.
High Quality Carbon Offset Projects
Offsetters defines high quality carbon offset projects by 5 principles: