Copenhagen Accord in Action
With the Copenhagen Accord fresh on the table awaiting the official endorsement by President Zuma, organizers of the Soccer World Cup are faced with the monumental task of ‘greening 2010′ events.
The global impact of the 2010 event has been estimated to be eight times greater than the 2006 World Cup which was held in Germany BEFORE adding in the emissions from the international travel required for those attending the activities.
In a study of the projected carbon footprint of the coming event, which was funded by the Norwegian Embassy, carbon emissions were calculated to be over 2.7 million tons. The Norwegian report indicates the cost of balancing out these with carbon offsets will be between R40.6 – $76.7 million ($5.4 to $10.2 million in U.S Dollars).
The cities hosting the World Cup are adopting the ‘greening 2010′ framework in an effort to reduce this footprint by focusing on all aspects of the event. These include waste, energy, transport, water, biodiversity and tourism. On the positive side, the planners are looking to job creation, public communication and education.
Whenever possible, alternative energy sources will be used. Lighting for everything from cameras to roads will be based on solar power. Wind power and biogas will fuel Cape Town and Pretoria. Durban plans on implementing industrial offset programs and reforestation projects to balance out the impact of the event.
Dr. Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, was quoted as saying:
Our focus for this World Cup is that it must raise awareness and substantially change matters relating to the environment. If the World Cup can strengthen our ability to deal with this challenge, it will be a move forward.
How Carbon Offsets/Credits Contribute to Reforestation of the Planet
Reforestation is a relatively simple concept. Most of us are aware that the rain forest around the world have been and continue to be cut down or destroyed for multiple reasons: to provide wood for either lumber or heat, expand farms or grasslands for cattle, housing for expanding populations or because they lie in the way of new road construction.
To stop this destruction is not an easy task. Harvesting the rain forest offers the local people income from the sale of ‘exotic’ woods, heat for their homes and materials to provide them with shelter. We must remember that the tropical forests we are trying to preserve are in Africa, Asia and South America, all areas where the populations are struggling for survival.
When preserving the rain forest fails a second alternative is to replant another forest to replace it. This act of planting one forest to replace another that was destroyed is called reforestation. Reforestation is not an ideal solution. Rain forests by nature are sometimes hundreds or even thousands of years old and we can not hope that a newly planted forest will replace the loss a mature rain forest. However, replanting young trees that can be used in time for materials and fire wood may divert the destruction of the old trees in existing rain forests.
While not perfect, reforestation is still a viable option.
Reforestation projects face three basic challenges.
These challenges are: 1) economic, 2) technological and 3) social.
Economic Challenge of Reforestation
Economic challenges occur because the land suitable for a reforestation is most often in very poor areas of the world and the people of those areas do not have funds for either supplying the stock for replanting or income to exist while they are waiting for the young trees to develop to a size that is useful and/or profitable. Selection of an area for a reforestation project requires studying the area to determine if it provides adequate biodiversity.
One of the uses of carbon offsets to provide loans for both the seed stock and subsistence to for the farmers while they waiting on the new trees to mature.
Technological Challenge of Reforestation
Remote areas make planting and harvesting difficult and require additional equipment and skills to produce hardy seedlings and trees that survive and thrive. The local population may need support and education about pest and disease control and fire management.
Again offsets may supply funds to provide this support.
Social Challenges
Introducing a reforestation project in a rural area that has very little community interaction or organization is a challenge in itself. Additionally, the concept of investing for future generations or waiting on delayed returns may require training for local people. The goal is to help the locals become invested in the management and success of the project.
Groupe Aeroplan, a loyalty program, similar to Southwest’s “Rapid Rewards” or Discover Card’s “Air Miles” is a Canadian based firm that offers similar benefits to Canadian travelers and credit card holders.
Today, GA announced that they are joining efforts with a organization called Offsetters, which is another Canadian group whose focus is providing environmentally friendly technological solutions.
What this means to Canadians (and the rest of us) is that Canadians will have the opportunity to use their air miles/rewards toward the purchase of carbon offsets and when they do so, GA will contribute an additional 20% towards these offset purchases. Essentially, the fiscal equivalent of accumulated air miles that a travelers wishes to contribute plus 20% contributed by GA will be transferred to Offsetters who in turn will invest it in “new, energy efficiency and fuel swtching projects around the world.”
Redeeming air miles or rewards for carbon offsets is not new for GA members. Aeroplan Canada has been actively encouraging its members to use their rewards to offset their air travel and daily activities since 2007. GA believes their partnership with Offsetters demonstrates an increased commitment to environmental stewardship.
Offsetters is reported to be Canada’s top provider of carbon offets for both public and private organizations. The company was founded in 2005. Their mission is to create permanent reductions in emissions by promoting the adoption of new, low emissions or renewable energy technology. Companies such as GA look to working with Offsetters to improve their corporate footprint.
