A Much Better Alternative to Carbon Offsetting?
Bristol, UK, May 2011
UK charity The Converging World (TCW) and ethical travel resource Much Better Adventures have partnered to deliver an alternative way to reduce the carbon footprint of travel, without resorting to carbon offsetting. The effectiveness of carbon offsetting is widely debated, but donating to TCW brings carbon savings and social benefits above and beyond the traditional offsetting schemes available.
While TCW and Much Better Adventures believe there is a place for good and transparent carbon offset schemes, carbon offsetting generally has its critics. They often cite the offset schemes of profit-making companies, where carbon reductions can be difficult to verify, as proof of a flawed concept for emissions reductions. So, is carbon offsetting simply a distraction from the real issues of climate change, as the Friends of the Earth claimed in April 2009, or does it have a part to play in current efforts to tackle climate change? This hotly debated question can often seem to have no resolution.
TCW and Much Better Adventures have united in their efforts to provide a simple tool to facilitate an alternative to offsetting which still brings about carbon savings in excess of a simple carbon offset. TCW have developed an innovative Carbon Calculator, which allows travellers to calculate the levels of CO2 emissions associated with their journeys by flight, bus, train, car and ferry. Much Better Adventures are encouraging their users to donate directly to TCW in acknowledgement of these emissions, rather than offset their trips – a mechanism already employed by Guardian News and Media Group in partnership with TCW. The calculator is being deployed on the Much Better Adventures’ website and will provide travellers with a suggested donation amount to give in recognition of their emissions.
TCW invests donations in renewable energy projects in the developing world. What sets TCW’s model apart from other schemes is the fact that all surplus revenues generated from their renewable energy projects are used for sustainable development work in the developing world, carbon reduction initiatives in the UK, and further renewable energy projects for the future. Donations to TCW therefore work much harder than simply spending them once – they not only generate clean energy today and in the future, they also help communities across the globe reduce their emissions in a sustainable and equitable way.
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Notes to editor:
View the calculator on the Much Better Adventures site here:
http://www.muchbetteradventures.com/view/281/carbon-offset
Carbon offsets and/or donations are not a replacement or alternative for direct actions to avoid and reduce carbon emissions in the first place.
Travel companies interested in developing a similar partnership should contact Tim Barker at TCW (details below).
About TCW
The Converging World is a UK based charity that aims to address issues arising from social inequality and climate change, creating mechanisms which link communities in the developed and developing world. They raise donations to invest in renewable energy. The surplus revenue from the sale of electricity is used by the charity for supporting social and environmental development in UK and Indian communities.
Further information: http://www.theconvergingworld.org
Contact Tim Barker: timbarker@theconvergingworld.org, Tel: 0117 9277089
About Much Better Adventures
Much Better Adventures puts adventure seekers in direct contact with small local businesses - friendly places to stay, guides and instructors who share your passion for adventure, live locally, and know the best spots. Driven to uncover the hidden gems, their community of users suggest new places, write destination guides and leave reviews. The team then independently verify the most ethical businesses in each destination, and offer a simple sustainability consultancy to help others go green and cut costs.
Further Information: http://www.muchbetteradventures.com
Contact Alex Narracott: alex@muchbetteradventures.com, Tel: 0117 2302414