Do Carbon Credits Make Your Business Green?

Nov 17, 2009 11:00 AM ET

Green Business Views

I’d like to correct a common misconception, although I do not imagine that these comments will actually have far reaching impact. The well-entrenched concerns for global warming have designated greenhouse gases as the culprit for this global climate change issue. In particular, the anthropogenic (man made) contribution of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere due to the use of fossil fuels must be reduced according to the Kyoto Protocol. At the start, it should be stated that the issues of global warming or global cooling are not debatable issues. Both of these phenomenons have occurred before and will happen again. Neither is the impact of greenhouse gases under question. The greenhouse affect keeps us from experiencing incredible temperature changes between night and day. So, just in case you didn’t already know this, the greenhouse effect is our good friend. The greenhouse effect is the fundamental reason that we have a habitable planet that retains a proper amount of heat in our atmosphere. It is the concerns about an out-of-balance atmospheric condition that promotes global warming or global cooling.

目前令人关注的是温室效应的不平衡,而愤怒的辩论是人类是否可以改变其运作方式。这个问题不是本文的辩论。该产品的目的是在企业的“碳中性”状态时应用“绿色”的问题。将绿色术语应用于碳中和业务是公平还是正确?好吧,这完全取决于术语的定义。

If Green means "anything environmental" no matter how extended the connection, then it is probably allowed to call a carbon neutral company Green. I debate the core of this issue because Green is not a synonym for environmentalism. It is a part of the environmental issue with a more specific meaning. Green is best defined as the "health impact" of what we do. If this definition is correct, then Green is misapplied to carbon neutral applications. As seen in the chart above, I believe that Green refers to the health impact of a process. I also believe that sustainable issues are what should be called a Blue issue. Pollution is a Red issue, and Conservation is a Yellow designation.

Given these definitions, carbon-neutral may well be a pollution issue and obviously a sustainability issue. In the proper sense, being carbon neutral does not make a company Green. And, I am not referring to a long extrapolation of reduced carbon emissions that will help the global health. This allows the morphing of any "carbon neutral" designation that frankly deserves to stand on its own right as a positive environmental contribution. It need not be relabeled as Green. It complements the Blue sustainable issues, the Red pollution concerns, and even the Yellow conservation issues since we are concerned about the atmosphere (a natural resource). Good definitions help us build a better debate on the subject, and loose definitions will keep us wandering in the mists of confusion.

Buying carbon credits to offset the calculated CO2 output is both somewhat trendy and helpful. These carbon credits are ostensibly a method of funding the capital needs of environmental projects like windmills, solar installation, hydro power, methane energy production, and reforestation. All worthy causes as long as the underlying cause it legitimate and verified. The carbon neutral status shows a consciousness of the CO2 problem and a willingness to make a contribution to the better solutions that are yet to make it to the profitable status.

因此,我们对碳中性地位也没有批评,也不需要成为更好的环保公民。减少我们对石油的依赖是需要我们集体支持的另一个问题。碳偏移策略的优点显然是减少污染和可持续性问题的好处。金博宝怎么注册当前的碳抵消计划的志愿计划指导数十亿美元进入替代能源和造林计划。这是可观的和值得称赞的。

The mislabeling of everything environmental demonstrates the unfortunate lack of definition in this cause. The fact is that there are four great areas that compose the environmental topic, and each deserve our attention. The blurring of these subjects leave the public in disarray and confusion as to what needs to be done and the associated impact on the greater environmental challenge. I would argue, in the kindest of terms, that carbon offsetting is a good idea, a meritorious idea, and helpful to the cause. But, let me explain why carbon offsetting is not Green.

输出二氧化碳的公司很可能会购买抵消碳信用额并自称为“碳中性”,但是他们是否通过此操作改变了任何东西?不,尽管他们可能希望以后减少产量,但他们仍在输出CO2。他们的碳中立性改变了他们的日常操作,以使工人更健康吗?不,即使该公司的室内空气质量较差,能源消耗不足,并且每天都会将污染倒出工厂的后部,该公司即使其室内空气质量较差,也戴上碳中立性的徽章。这太容易让您的手挡住了您面前的实际情况。一块砖不制作建筑物。一颗恒星不构成天堂,无论其美丽如何。环境选择也不会通过碳中性地位应用于公司,使公司成为环保的运营。

A认证的绿色顾问可以帮助您的业务追求环保地位。公司可能会做很多事情来成为一家绿色公司,而碳信用额是较大项目的有用部分。现在,许多公司自豪地展示其认证的绿色业务状况,在Green Business Leagueprogram. Several points are added for being carbon neutral, but there is more that can and should be done. Working with a Certified Green Consultant makes this complex and involved process simple. Never accept a one-sided solution as the full solution. The Green Business League is the best Green business certification in the industry.

绿色商业联盟的更多信息

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健康的建筑环境需要培训

无毒绿色清洁建议

在桌子上给绿色一个声音

佛罗里达绿色会议上的绿色商业联盟

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The Green Business League Opens A Chapter In Los Angeles