Introduction to Green-e Climate Third-party certification for carbon offsets Michelle McGinty Manager, Program Outreach Maggie Lund Analyst, Certification Programs

About Non-profit in San Francisco Founded in 1997 Policy work and certification programs Education and support OUR MISSION Creating policy and market solutions to advance sustainable energy. CRS— nonprofit, SF Create policy and market solutions for sustainable energy

the global retail standard for carbon offsets the only certification that involves third-party, independent verification of retail transactions

Carbon Offsets Carbon Offset Natural Gas, and Fuel Offset Programs Carbon Offsets sold by third-party distributors Fixed and customized products Project-specific offsets Utility products Competitive supplier products

Oversight

Greenhouse gas emissions reduction Carbon Offset Market Greenhouse gas emissions reduction Carbon offset project Retail carbon offset Retail consumer

Project-level certification standards Carbon Offset Market - Oversight Project-level certification standards

Project-level certification standards Risk in the retail market No oversight leaves room for: Bad Actors (“Boiler rooms”) Fraud and Double Selling Deception Mistakes Project-level certification standards

Project-level certification standards Risk in the retail market Risk for the buyer Risk for the seller Project-level certification standards

Project-level certification standards Retail certification standard Retail oversight Project-level certification standards Retail certification standard

Unique Assurances Verified GHG emissions reductions come from projects certified under high-quality project standards. Permanence Additionality Verified Enforceable Real

Green-e Climate Endorsed Programs Permanence Additionality Verified Enforceable Real

Unique Assurances Emissions reductions are not being double-sold. Retirement of correct volumes and types of emissions reductions on behalf of customers based on an audit of sales and supply. Permanence Additionality Verified Enforceable Real Ownership Annual Verification Audit

Marketing Compliance Review Unique Assurances Customers are given complete and accurate information about their purchase and are not mislead with inaccurate advertising. Permanence Additionality Verified Enforceable Real Ownership Disclosure MCR Marketing Compliance Review

Carbon Offset Content Label Permanence Additionality Verified Enforceable Real Ownership Disclosure

Price, Terms, and Conditions Permanence Additionality Verified Enforceable Real Ownership Disclosure Project List Price, Terms, and Conditions

A.P.R.O.V.E.D. Additionality Permanence Real Ownership Verified Enforceable Disclosure A.P.R.O.V.E.D.

differentiate your programs with third-party certification and chain of custody oversight

the easiest way for your customers to be confident in their purchase

Benefits of Green-e Certification Demonstrates overall product quality Establishes consumer confidence Reduces risk to all parties Protects against double claims Meet best practices for marketing and sales Use the trusted certification logo Benefits of Green-e Certification

Gas Offset Programs Natural Gas Carbon Offsets CUSTOMERS CAN OFFEST THE EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION. Each therm of natural gas consumed emits 0.005302 metric tons (or 11.7 pounds) of CO2e (EPA). According to the EIA, the average commercial natural gas consumer uses 640,000 cubic feet per year (EIA 2014). 640,000 cubic feet = 6401.53 therms, which equals 33.9 mT. (Industrial: 39,680,000 cubic feet), equals 396,894.74 therms, 2,104 mT   Appeals to residential, commercial and industrial customers P.A.V.E.R. Offset Quality ● Independent Verification of Sales and Exclusive Delivery ● Transparency and Truth in Marketing

Open an account in a carbon offset registry. Purchase offsets. How does it work?   Open an account in a carbon offset registry. Purchase offsets. Track customers’ natural gas usage. Convert therms to metric tons of CO2e. Retire carbon offsets (CO2e) on behalf customer natural gas usage. No change to supply or sources of gas required  Each therm of natural gas consumed emits 0.005302 metric tons (or 11.7 pounds) of CO2e (EPA). According to the EIA, the average commercial natural gas consumer uses 640,000 cubic feet per year (EIA 2014). 640,000 cubic feet = 6401.53 therms, which equals 33.9 mT. (Industrial: 39,680,000 cubic feet), equals 396,894.74 therms, 2,104 mT   Appeals to residential, commercial and industrial customers , unlike biogas or renewable natural gas.

LEED v4 Green-e Climate in • BD&C – EA CREDIT: GREEN POWER AND CARBON OFFSETS (maximum 2 points) • ID&C – EA CREDIT: GREEN POWER AND CARBON OFFSETS (maximum 2 points) • EBOM – EA CREDIT: RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CARBON OFFSETS (maximum 5 points) “Carbon offsets […] must be Green-e Climate certified, or the equivalent.”

Purchaser Recognition

Verification of offset purchase and percent of emissions covered for events, facilities, operations, vehicle fleets, and more.

? ? ? CONTACT Michelle McGinty Manager, Program Outreach Center for Resource Solutions Michelle.mcginty@resource-solutions.org @greenemarktplc /CenterForResourceSolutions