Co2balance

About co2balance

co2balance provides simple, practical and cost-effective ways for individuals and businesses to reduce their ‘carbon footprints’, and then balance their unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions through investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy and afforestation.

co2balance’s carbon offsetting projects

What is carbon offsetting?

Carbon offsetting works by investing funds to absorb or prevent the emission of a tonnage of CO₂ equivalent to the client’s unavoidable carbon emissions. This is done by investing in projects that save energy emissions (efficiency-based offsets) or that absorb atmospheric CO₂ (forestry-based offsets).

Verification and ‘additionality’

co2balance only invest in projects that they control, whether that’s energy efficiency or forestry.  They do not subcontract to other organisations. Crucially, they do not invest in projects that are already completed. Some carbon-offset organisations (including some of the biggest) will buy ‘carbon credits’ in existing windfarms or woodlands. It is pointless having your offset investment placed in a project that has already been completed as the benefit has already accrued and your funding makes no difference. 

Importantly, co2balance plant trees on their own land to ensure that there is absolute control over its future.  Once woodlands are completed and mature they are turned into community woodlands owned by a charitable trust, so the local area can also benefit from carbon offsetting as well as the environment.

It is also important to know that the majority of the funding for projects comes from carbon offset investment.  Some supposed offset projects are almost entirely funded from traditional sources as they are economically viable in their own right with just a few percent of project funding provided by carbon offset money, as a token gesture.  Over 50% of the funding (and an average of 90%) of all co2balance projects comes from offset investment.

Guaranteeing a Creditable Carbon Offset - External Accreditation

There are two main accreditation standards for carbon offset projects in the voluntary market, the “Gold Standard” and “Voluntary Carbon Standard”.  co2balance is in the process of making their offsetting energy projects certified by these standards, and should be complete within the next twelve months. co2balance have also been awarded “Ethical Company” status by the Ethical Company Organisation.

Contact Information

Address:
1 Discovery House, Cook Way, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6BJ

Tel: 0845 094 2620

Fax: +44 1823 336776

Email:
enquiries@co2balance.com

Website:
co2balance.com