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Why We're Different

There are many pitfalls that offset projects can fall into.  In order to safeguard our clients from such risks we operate our CarbonZero offset projects under a unique set of Principles that sets us apart from other offset providers:-

• We are environmentalists.  Years ago, the organisation was set up as a hobby by Mike and Mark as a way of channelling their enthusiasm for environmental improvement.  Unlike many other carbon offset operators, we are not owned by big financial institutions, venture capitalists or private equity houses as a way of making money.  We are 100% owned by the Board.  We have grown co2balance to be one of the largest and most respected carbon offset orgainsations in the world without losing sight of our environmental roots.
• Highest financial barrier test in the world provides unimpeachable additionality - we work on the 50 – 50 rule in that that at least half of the capital cost of our in-house projects is funded from the sale of the carbon credits, making it clear that the project would not have been implemented without carbon funding.  If you ask only one question of your offset supplier - ask this "What percentage of the total budget for the offset project (stoves, windfarm etc) was funded through the sale of carbon offsets?"  Almost no-one will tell you this - often because the percentage is derisory, showing that the project would have gone ahead anyway.  Currently most co2balance projects are 100% funded through the sale of offsets.  The projects are not viable in their own right.
• No supply chain – as our in-house projects are managed by co2balance staff the supply chain is simply the client and co2balance.
• Backed by the CarbonZero Guarantee - co2balance guarantees to deliver all credits bought by its clients.
• All credits recorded in the CarbonZero Registry - To ensure transparency for clients and to provide a clear and open audit trail, all our carbon offset credits are recorded in the CarbonZero Registry, built along the same principles as the registries associated with the Clean Development Mechanism.
• Trackable –  co2balance’s GPS tracking system on its carbon offset projects shows clients, using Google Maps, exactly where their funds have been invested, down to individual items of equipment.