As part of our internal policy, we’ve once again purchased carbon credits to offset our operational greenhouse gas emissions. This year, we decided to support the Solar Water Filtration Units for Rural Areas in Coastal Bangladesh.
This is consistent with our actions in previous years, as shown in the following blog posts:
- https://zerowastecity.com/we-support-the-uganda-gender-responsive-safe-water-project-in-2024/
- https://zerowastecity.com/we-support-the-planting-of-biodiverse-forests-in-panama-co2ol-tropical-mix-for-the-second-time/
- https://zerowastecity.com/we-support-the-planting-of-biodiverse-forests-in-panama-co2ol-tropical-mix/
- https://zerowastecity.com/we-support-the-nicaforest-high-impact-reforestation-program/
Each year, we assess our total carbon emissions and acquire carbon credits to compensate for that environmental impact. The process involves calculating our annual carbon footprint, then purchasing an equivalent number of credits from the Gold Standard registry.
These carbon credits fund projects that reduce emissions directly or capture carbon from the atmosphere, such as reforestation efforts, renewable energy installations, or methane capture programs. While third-party organizations manage these projects, the credits are validated through recognized certification systems to guarantee their effectiveness.
Purchasing carbon credit is an essential part of Zero Waste City’s sustainability policy and our commitment to reducing our environmental impact.
The project installs solar-powered water filtration units in rural coastal areas of Bangladesh to provide safe drinking water by removing microbial contamination and salinity through reverse osmosis and UV treatment. It also refurbishes existing non-functional systems to ensure sustainability. By replacing traditional boiling methods, the initiative reduces greenhouse gas emissions and conserves wood, while creating local jobs and training community members in water treatment and system maintenance. The project currently operates in six coastal districts and aims to improve public health and environmental outcomes.
What is a carbon offset?
A carbon offset refers to any activity that compensates for the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) or other greenhouse gases (measured in carbon dioxide equivalents [CO2e]) by providing for an emission reduction elsewhere. Because greenhouse gases are widespread in Earth’s atmosphere, the climate benefits from emission reductions apply regardless of where such cutbacks occur. If carbon reductions are equivalent to the total carbon footprint of an activity, then the activity is said to be “carbon neutral.” Carbon offsets can be bought, sold, or traded as part of a carbon market. [1]
How do we impact climate change?
ZWC helps businesses reduce their greenhouse gas emissions; however, we also contribute to them, via:
- The use of computers and IT infrastructure.
- Transportation (using taxi, public transport, ferries, and airplane flights)
- Electricity for air conditioning and so on.
With a series of calculations and estimations, we can estimate the total carbon emissions associated with our activity during the last financial year to be 12 tonnes.
What is Gold Standard?
Gold Standard [2] was established in 2003 by WWF and other international NGOs to ensure projects that reduced carbon emissions featured the highest levels of environmental integrity and contributed to sustainable development. With the adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, Gold Standard launched a best practice standard for climate and sustainable development interventions – Gold Standard for the Global Goals – to maximise impact, creating value for people around the world and the planet we share.
[1] Carbon offset, https://www.britannica.com/technology/carbon-offset
[2] Gold Standard official website, https://www.goldstandard.org/about-us/vision-and-mission