GLUMAC - Engineers for a sustainable future

Sonya Salanti, Portland Marketing Coordinator and Albert Sitorus, Portland Energy Analyst 

Through everyday activities of using electricity, heating or cooling our offices and driving a car, each of us is responsible for adding carbon dioxide and other emissions into the air we all breathe.

Carbon emissions are measured as both direct and indirect emissions. Direct carbon emission refers to the energy each individual consumes in the form of fossil fuels and electricity that we use for transportation, heating, cooling and lighting. Indirect carbon emission refers to the energy consumed in producing the materials we use in our daily lives (such as food, clothing, office supplies, computers, furniture, and all of the associated packaging).

The average American produces ten tons of direct carbon emissions and 14 tons of indirect carbon emissions per year for a total of 24 tons of carbon emissions, per person, per year. Carbon dioxide emissions are the leading cause of global climate change.

What are carbon offsets?

Many environmentally and climate conscious organizations have developed methods for companies to reduce or neutralize their carbon emissions by supporting carbon offset projects. A carbon offset is "any project that negates the impact of a company€™s emissions by avoiding an equal amount of pollution, or by sequestering an equal amount of carbon."

Currently, there are three main types of projects that reduce carbon emissions:

1) Projects that prevent the release of carbon dioxide. Examples include: Renewable energy projects such as wind farms, solar energy, and landfill methane projects.

2) Projects that reduce greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide (such as Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O) and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)). Projects: industrial energy efficiency(waste heat recovery), Portland building energy efficiency (LEED^® - Optimize Energy Performance), lumber mill cogeneration (higher efficiency electrical generation), truck stop electrification.

3) Projects that "sequester" carbon in vegetation or soil. In these types of projects, the carbon in the air removed from the air by trees and soil for use in the natural photosynthesis process. Example: restoration of the coastal rainforest, Ecuador, restoration and protection of the Atlantic Forest, Brazil.

How do carbon offsets work?

To reduce carbon emissions through offsets, a company or individual purchases carbon offset credits from a carbon offset provider. The amount of the credit is determined by the amount of energy the company or individual consumes. The purchaser may decide between two options:

1) Carbon Neutral: Purchasing credits that will compensate for direct emissions only.

2) Zero Carbon: Purchasing offsets that cover direct and indirect emissions.

For each of these options, the funds that are collected by the offset provider are then invested into the types of projects described above.

Carbon offsets present a cost-effective way to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions. However, there are many challenges to measuring the direct impact of these projects. Currently, there is no exact science or calculations for quantifying the amount of carbon being offset. However most reputable carbon offset providers adhere to the following criteria for offset projects:

"To be certain that an offset project results in a true net benefit to the environment, it must meet two essential tests:

1) It must be demonstrated that an offset project would not otherwise occur without the funding provided by the offset purchaser.

2) Results must be rigorously quantified.

To measure the impact, a baseline projection of emissions without the offset project must be developed, and then actual emissions must be measured. The difference between the actual and the projected emissions is the greenhouse gas (GHG) benefit. A third party with no financial interest in the project must verify the approach and calculations used to quantify the results." (www.climatetrust.org).

Glumac Commitment: Carbon Neutral for 2006

Glumac recognizes that purchasing carbon offsets may not be the perfect solution to solving our climate problems. However, we feel strongly that money spent towards reducing carbon emissions and supporting alternative forms of power is money well spent. That is why for 2006, Glumac will be purchasing enough carbon credits from our carbon provider so that each employee will be "carbon neutral" in the workplace.

We are planning on tracking our transportation and energy use on a quarterly basis. Based on our energy consumption, we will contribute enough money to an offset provider to neutralize our carbon usage for each quarter of the year.

Glumac further supports the reduction of carbon emissions by:

4                  Subsidizing public transportation -- Glumac pays for 50% of monthly public transportation passes.

4                   Purchasing Green Power (where available) -- Green Power is 100% green energy from wind power and salmon friendly dams.

4                   Using Flex Car for local work related transportation -- Flex Car has hundreds of cars in cities across the country and let members use them by the hour. Gas, insurance and parking included. Using Flex Car means employees who normally use public transportation for commuting do not have to drive into work when they have an offsite meeting. Less driving equals less carbon emissions.

4                   Recommeding energy efficient mechanical, electrical and plumbing designs to our clients.

For more information about carbon emissions and carbon offsets:

http://www.climatebiz.com

http://www.carbonfund.org

http://www.climatetrust.org

http://www.flexcar.com

http://carbonfund.org/carbon/projects.php

http://www.climatetrust.org/offset_projects.php

http://www.safeclimate.net/business/solutions/projects.php

http://www.climateservices.com

http://carbonfund.org/zero_carbon.php