The Triple Bottom Line Blog

Recommended reading: From ClimateBiz, a fine article by Carolyn Sherwood Call on how carbon offsets actually work--exceptionally clear, thorough, and balanced. Call's bottom line:

If your company wants to put money toward reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, look first to make changes that reduce your own carbon footprint. Often, such investments are not only good for the planet; they'll also save you money over time. Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents, using hybrid vehicles for the company's fleet, and installing building control systems to reduce energy waste can reduce your carbon footprint and improve the bottom line.

If you want to do more, offset purchases are worth considering. Revenues generated by offset purchases provide critical funding for many projects that reduce greenhouse gases. If you do decide to buy offsets, take the time to research the various offset providers. Look for details on their websites. The more transparent they're willing to be, the more likely that their projects and their calculations can stand up to scrutiny.

Managers considering carbon offsets as part of their green business strategy might want to circulate Call's article among their top decision-makers--it would be a good tool for getting an informed conversation about the topic started.

Labels: carbon offsets, Carolyn Sherwood Call, Climate and Carbon