What we mean by climate neutrality
Climate-neutral is a often used word. Many people have recognised the need for climate neutrality, but when exactly can we claim to have achieved it? An organisation, service or product is considered by the Climate Neutral Group (CNG) to be climate neutral if the following measures have been implemented:
1. Defining boundaries.
In our view, the boundaries around an organisation, service or product must be clearly defined: which part of the organisation, service or product will be included in the carbon-footprint calculations? You decide, but the claim “climate-neutral according to CNG” has more impact if a total entity is enrolled. So an entire hotel, not just one room, a complete fleet, not only the small cars.
2. Providing an overview
An overview of all of the emissions caused by the entity defined in step 1 is important for raising awareness and it serves as a starting point for reduction measures.
3. Listing the main sources of emissions
I.e. the most important sources of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. These include at least your own incinerators (Scope 1 from the GHG Protocol of the UN) and the electricity you use (Scope 2). In addition, significant reducible sources of other indirect emissions (Scope 3) such as the commuting to work, purchasing PCs and computer screens or outsourcing services such as catering or ICT must be taken into account.
You decide which Scope 3 emissions to include, as long as they are well-documented and transparent.
4. Calculating your CO2 footprint
Based on the sources that were selected in step 3. The calculation, which is transparent, is made with our own CO2 calculator.
5. Drawing up an action plan
A goal has been established for reducing your CO2 footprint. In an action plan clear measures are described, which will achieve this main goal. What’s needed is a demonstrable intention to reduce emissions. If you only engage in offsetting, there is no basis for claiming to be climate-neutral.
6. Compensating for your current emissions
Offsetting the remaining emissions, during or after execution of the plan, by purchasing emission rights (supporting certified sustainable projects). All our projects comply with the most stringent quality criteria. Read here more about the quality standards under which our projects are developed.
We have based our definition of climate neutrality on the emission inventory, selection and calculation of the GHG protocol of the United Nations (Ref. 1). Our requirements for climate neutrality are based on the recommendations of the English Ministry for Environmental Affairs, DEFRA, (Ref. 2). These concur with the recommendations of the Stimular foundation (Ref. 3) and the Dutch climate campaign Hier.