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

2. 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

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

5. 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

6. Oversight

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

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

9. 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

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

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

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

14. Green-e Climate Endorsed Programs
Permanence
Additionality
Verified
Enforceable
Real

15. 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

16. 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

17. Carbon Offset Content Label
Permanence
Additionality
Verified
Enforceable
Real
Ownership
Disclosure

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

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

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

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

22. 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

23. 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 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 = therms, which equals 33.9 mT.
(Industrial: 39,680,000 cubic feet), equals 396, 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

24. 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 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 = therms, which equals 33.9 mT.
(Industrial: 39,680,000 cubic feet), equals 396, therms, 2,104 mT
Appeals to residential, commercial and industrial customers
, unlike biogas or renewable natural gas.

25. 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.”

26. Purchaser Recognition

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

29. ? ? ? CONTACT Michelle McGinty Manager, Program Outreach
Center for Resource Solutions
@greenemarktplc
/CenterForResourceSolutions