Introduction to Carbon Management and Offsetting The NTA Carbon Calculator Ted Martens Director of Outreach & Development December 3 rd, 2009

Presentation Outline Addressing Global Climate Change The Role of CO2 Offsets Carbon Offsetting Demystified Definitions How it works Benefits Your Sustainable Tourism Strategy Tools for Carbon Management Questions

Who is STI? Non-profit whose mission is to help travelers and tourism providers protect the places they visit, and the planet at large. Non-profit whose mission is to help travelers and tourism providers protect the places they visit, and the planet at large. Sustainability Partner of the NTA

Addressing Global Climate Change Sustainable Energy Political Will First Best & Second Best Solutions Travelling More Thoughtfully

Offsets are Part of the Solution Controversy and Confusion Controversy and Confusion CO2 Reduction CO2 Reduction Individual Efforts Individual Efforts Cap & Trade Legislation Cap & Trade Legislation Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Renewable Energy High Quality CO2 Offsets High Quality CO2 Offsets

What Defines an Offset Carbon Offset: A mechanism by which the impact of emitting a ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) can be negated or diminished by avoiding the release of a ton elsewhere, or absorbing a ton of CO2 from the air that otherwise would have remained in the atmosphere.

How do Offset Projects Work? Renewable Energy Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency Forestry Forestry

Quality is Paramount Independent 3 rd party verification ensures: Transparency Transparency Integrity Integrity Accountability Accountability Additionality Additionality

Benefits to Society and the Planet Quality CO2 Offsets: Diversify our power supply Diversify our power supply Reduce dependency on imported fuel Reduce dependency on imported fuel Reduce air and water pollution Reduce air and water pollution Contribute to sustainable development Contribute to sustainable development Create “green collar” jobs Create “green collar” jobs Increase demand for renewable energy Increase demand for renewable energy

Benefits to Your Business Travelers are looking for a deeper Green experience Travelers are looking for a deeper Green experience Proactive participation in sustainability solutions with a relatively simple measure Proactive participation in sustainability solutions with a relatively simple measure Help generate awareness and momentum for changes necessary to avoid the most serious future effects of drastic climate change Help generate awareness and momentum for changes necessary to avoid the most serious future effects of drastic climate change

Benefits to Your Business Showing a leadership role to your clients in educating on climate issues Showing a leadership role to your clients in educating on climate issues Creating another touch point with your travelers Creating another touch point with your travelers Taking green programs and sustainable strategies to the next level Taking green programs and sustainable strategies to the next level Reduce. Reuse. Offset. Carbon Offsets as the last piece in a complete program of minimizing the carbon footprint of travel. Reduce. Reuse. Offset. Carbon Offsets as the last piece in a complete program of minimizing the carbon footprint of travel.

Your Sustainable Tourism Strategy Obtain buy-in from management Obtain buy-in from management Assess your carbon footprint Assess your carbon footprint Set goals and objectives Set goals and objectives Measure and monitor Measure and monitor Get everyone involved Get everyone involved Focus on continuous improvement Focus on continuous improvement Utilize the tools available to you Utilize the tools available to you

Using the NTA Carbon Calculator Add a carbon offset graphic and link Train your sales staff to introduce offsetting Promote the calculator on your Responsible Travel page Educate your clients Lead by example

Best Practices Measure Your Company’s CO2 Footprint Measure Your Company’s CO2 Footprint Reduce your CO2 Footprint Reduce your CO2 Footprint Go beyond the calculator Go beyond the calculator Voluntary Opt-in Voluntary Opt-in Voluntary Opt-out Voluntary Opt-out Matching Program Matching Program Carbon Neutral Carbon Neutral

Above and Beyond Carbon Footprint Analysis Carbon Footprint Analysis Custom CO2 Calculators Custom CO2 Calculators Energy Audits Energy Audits Renewable Energy Assessments Renewable Energy Assessments Sustainability Management Systems Sustainability Management Systems Education & Training Education & Training

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