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Climate Action Reserve releases standards for destruction of Ozone Depleting Substances

Friday, February 5, 2010

Two new offset project protocols renew awareness of ozone protection and create possibility for significant boost in carbon market volume

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Climate Action Reserve, the premier offset registry for the North American carbon market, adopted two new offset project standards that could lead to millions of metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions. Targeting the destruction of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), the U.S. ODS Project Protocol and the Article 5 ODS Project Protocol provide financial incentive for destruction of ODS in the U.S. and developing countries. Because ODS can be thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide (CO2) at trapping heat in the atmosphere, ODS offset projects may produce hundreds of thousands – or even millions – of offset credits.

“The ODS protocols are significant developments because they are the first protocols to provide co-benefits that protect both the ozone layer and the climate system. And because of the potency of ODS as greenhouse gases, projects developed under these protocols will provide substantial environmental benefits while generating offset credits to the carbon market. I applaud the work of everyone who was involved in the development of these landmark protocols,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

ODS are used in a variety of applications, and as their name suggests, they have tremendously harmful effects on the ozone layer. They also are potent GHGs; some are more than 10,000 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere. While the ODS included in the protocols are no longer actively produced, their continuing presence in refrigeration equipment and insulation foams represent enormous potential for GHG emissions. Both the U.S. ODS Project Protocol and the Article 5 ODS Project Protocol address the destruction of ODS as the means of preventing emissions. The U.S. ODS protocol includes refrigerants and foam blowing agents sourced from the U.S. The Article 5 ODS protocol includes refrigerants from “Article 5” countries, which are developing countries as defined under the United Nation’s Montreal Protocol.

“By eliminating the risk for ozone depleting substances to create GHG emissions, we are taking a tremendous stride in protecting our environment. The Climate Action Reserve’s two ODS project protocols establish strong and comprehensive standards for addressing the destruction of ODS. Bringing together financial incentives created by the carbon market with the environmental benefits that ODS offset projects will produce creates a win-win situation for both developed and developing countries,” said Viraj Vithoontien of the Environment Department at The World Bank.

Whether ODS originates from the U.S. or an Article 5 country, the substances are required to be destroyed in the U.S. or its territories, where destruction practices are closely regulated. If destruction of a substance is already required under the Montreal Protocol or U.S. law or it has not been phased out of production in the country of origin, it is not eligible for inclusion under the ODS protocols. Projects that qualify under the ODS protocols will be issued offset credits, Climate Reserve Tonnes (CRTs), for the quantity of ODS that would otherwise have been released over a 10-year period had they not been destroyed.

“The new Protocols will immediately mobilize projects and new investment, and will help leverage financing from voluntary and ultimately compliance GHG markets domestically and worldwide. EOS Climate looks forward to permanently preventing GHG emissions by implementing projects developed according to these new Protocols,” said Jeff Cohen, VP Science & Policy at EOS Climate Inc. EOS had originally submitted the concept for the ODS protocols to the Reserve. “From the start, we believed the Reserve would provide the most transparent, verifiable, and comprehensive framework ensuring the integrity of greenhouse gas reductions.”

The Climate Action Reserve is a U.S. private nonprofit organization representing international interests in addressing climate change and bringing together participants from the government, environment and business sectors. It works to ensure environmental benefit, integrity and transparency in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting and reduction and progressive movement in GHG emissions policy nationally and in the Western U.S. The Climate Action Reserve is parent to three programs, the California Climate Action Registry, Climate Action Reserve and Center for Climate Action. As the subsequent organization of the California Climate Action Registry, the Climate Action Reserve continues building on the California Registry’s reputation as a respected and internationally recognized leader in climate change issues. For additional information, please visit www.climateactionreserve.org.

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World Renowned Anthropologist and Environmental Advocate Dr. Stephan Schwartzman joins the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors

Friday, February 5, 2010

Addition of Dr. Schwartzman strengthens environmental representation and voice in the Reserve’s offset program

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Climate Action Reserve, the premier offset registry for the North American carbon market, announced that Dr. Stephan Schwartzman, Director for Tropical Forest Policy at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), has been elected to its Board of Directors. The addition of Dr. Schwartzman to the Reserve Board further strengthens involvement from the environmental community in the growing voluntary carbon market.

“We are very pleased and honored to welcome Dr. Schwartzman to the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors. As the Reserve continues to grow and become globally respected as a leader in forestry project protocols, Dr. Schwartzman’s expertise and experience in developing strategies for forest conservation will add much value to current and potential forest programs in the carbon market,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve and Secretary of the California EPA.

Dr. Schwartzman has an illustrious career in sustainable forestry. Since the early 1980s, he has worked with communities in the Amazon region to recover, protect and conserve millions of hectares of traditional territory. Currently, Schwartzman leads EDF’s work with a consortium of Brazilian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), grassroots organizations, government agencies, indigenous and traditional communities to implement and protect tropical forest reserves. He initiated EDF’s efforts to create large-scale incentives for tropical countries to reduce their deforestation through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“It’s an enormous honor for me to join the Reserve Board. This is a critical moment for North America’s – and the world’s – climate and forests. The Reserve’s outstanding work on carbon accounting will be fundamental to protecting both,” said Dr. Schwartzman.

Dr. Schwartzman brings a unique international forestry perspective to the Reserve Board, which includes a diverse and balanced representation of government, business, academic and environmental leaders in the carbon market. The Reserve has earned the reputation as the premier carbon market leader in North America and has been recognized and supported by the State of California, the State of Pennsylvania and leading environmental organizations, including the EDF, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Sierra Club.

The Climate Action Reserve is a U.S. private nonprofit organization representing international interests in addressing climate change and bringing together participants from the government, environment and business sectors. It works to ensure environmental benefit, integrity and transparency in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting and reduction and progressive movement in GHG emissions policy nationally and in the Western U.S. The Climate Action Reserve is parent to three programs, the California Climate Action Registry, Climate Action Reserve and Center for Climate Action. As the subsequent organization of the California Climate Action Registry, the Climate Action Reserve continues building on the California Registry’s reputation as a respected and internationally recognized leader in climate change issues. For additional information, please visit www.climateactionreserve.org.

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Climate Action Reserve Exceeds Milestone of One Hundred Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Projects

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Rapid growth of offsets registry demonstrates the strength and success of the North American carbon market

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Climate Action Reserve, the premier offset registry for the North American carbon market, today announced it exceeded the milestone of 100 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction projects. The milestone demonstrates the ability for the carbon market to successfully utilize a collaboration between the business and environmental communities to mitigate climate change. It also reflects these communities’ confidence in the quality and value of the Reserve’s offset credits, known as a Climate Reserve Tonnes (CRTs).

“With 100 projects submitted into the Reserve program, we can be confident that significant momentum is underway to effectively mitigate climate change through the carbon market,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. “The Reserve’s rigorous accounting and verification requirements, consistent performance standards and transparent public-participation process provide strong environmental safeguards for the credibility of project activities.”

The 100 project milestone also signifies the Reserve’s ability to effectively and efficiently administer its scalable program during a time of rapid growth and increased demand. The program was launched in May 2008 with just two forest projects in California. Today, the Reserve has projects listed and registered in 38 states. These projects were developed according to the Reserve’s protocols, which currently address GHG emissions reductions from forest, landfill methane, livestock methane, urban forest, coal mine methane and organic waste digestion projects throughout the nation. The Reserve also has landfill and livestock protocols for Mexico, which enable emissions reduction projects in that country to earn CRTs.

2/100 PROJECTS

The Reserve’s protocols ensure that GHG reductions are real, additional, verifiable, enforceable and permanent. Credited emissions reductions generate high quality offsets, which are above business-as-usual practices, regularly monitored and verified, subject to penalties for non-compliance and provide ever-lasting benefits to the environment. Each CRT offset credit represents one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced or sequestered from the atmosphere. Information on issued CRTs and projects are publicly accessible through the Reserve website.

“The Reserve’s offset program provides an efficient means for project developers to qualify and register projects, as well as excellent transparency for carbon offset buyers,” said Erin Craig, President of Carbon Management Services, TerraPass. “We saw the value very early, and have submitted a dozen projects to date. As we continue our on-the-ground work addressing climate change, we expect to submit many more. The high value of CRTs reflects the credibility of our projects as well as the Reserve program.”

The Climate Action Reserve’s offset program has kept pace with the growing interest in offsets and has quickly progressed into the premier carbon market leader. The Reserve has been recognized and supported by the State of California, the State of Pennsylvania and leading environmental organizations, including the Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council and Sierra Club.

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Organic waste and coal mine methane projects now eligible to register with the Climate Action Reserve

Monday, October 12, 2009

Adoption of two new protocols expands the types of high quality offset credits issued in the US voluntary carbon market

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors unanimously adopted the Organic Waste Digestion (OWD) and Coal Mine Methane (CMM) Project Protocols and broadened the reach and diversity of offset projects that can be registered with the premier offsets registry. The two protocols provide financial incentives for implementing activities that help mitigate climate change and that go beyond usual business practices in the solid waste and coal mine sectors.

“With the adoption of the Organic Waste Digestion and Coal Mine Methane Project Protocols, the Climate Action Reserve now offers eight protocols for use in generating high quality offsets. In dealing with the urgent issue of climate change, we need credible, practical solutions that truly provide benefit to the environment. All of the Reserve protocols, including the two newest ones, provide comprehensive tools that allow us to work together in addressing climate change and generate immediate benefits to the environment,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Food waste decomposes rapidly in landfills and is a major source of methane emissions, which are over 21 times more potent to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Currently, less than three percent of food waste in the U.S. is diverted. The OWD Project Protocol is the nation’s first protocol to incentivize the diversion of food waste from landfills. It provides a standardized approach for quantifying, monitoring and verifying greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from organic waste diversion projects. Instead of organic waste being buried in landfills, where it will produce and emit methane, it is diverted into anaerobic digesters. The protocol also allows for the capture and destruction of methane at industrial wastewater treatment facilities.

“Diverting food scraps from landfills to anaerobic digesters not only directly reduces potent greenhouse gases, but also provides clean fuels and renewable energy to help the state meet its climate goals,” said Nick Lapis, Policy Associate, Californians Against Waste.

Coal mining is another source of methane. The amount of methane emitted from underground mines is not proportionate to production; it is estimated that underground mines account for over 60 percent of total methane emissions from coal mining. The CMM Project Protocol provides a standardized approach for quantifying, monitoring and verifying GHG reductions from projects that destroy methane at active underground coal mines. This first version of the protocol covers ventilation air methane (VAM) projects and non-pipeline drainage projects. The protocol incentivizes coal mines to destroy or utilize coal mine methane that is currently removed from mines and vented into the atmosphere for safety reasons.

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New Climate Action Reserve standard brings US forests into the carbon market

Friday, September 11, 2009

Adoption of the Forest Project Protocol version 3.0 paves the way for forest projects earning carbon credits and mitigating climate change

LOS ANGELES, CA – With the adoption of the landmark Forest Project Protocol version 3.0, forest projects across the U.S. are now poised to make a highly anticipated entrance into the carbon market while encompassing a defined and measured role for mitigating climate change. The previous version of the protocol generated significant attention for forest offset projects in California, and it is expected version 3.0 will generate attention nationally and internationally, especially as global communities look to the power of forests and forest management to effectively address climate change.

“I commend members of the forest workgroup, general public and Climate Action Reserve staff for the outstanding levels of commitment, dedication and time they made towards this tremendous accomplishment. The Forest Project Protocol is a groundbreaking document that will be looked at around the world. Getting the protocol adopted was just one step in the process. Our next critical step is to get the protocol into practice and used in the real world,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and California Secretary for Environmental Protection Agency.

All Climate Action Reserve protocols are developed through a transparent process that includes public comment periods and collaboration with a multi-stakeholder workgroup. The Forest Project Protocol workgroup included representatives from diverse and numerous stakeholders in the forest sector. Version 3.0 of the protocol is the sum of nearly two years of work from this workgroup and over 300 pages of submitted public comments, and it exists as a living document. The end goals were to create guidelines that provide accurate and comprehensive direction for accounting greenhouse gas (GHG) offsets from forest projects and realistic implementation in real world practices.

“Forests play a critical role preserving environmental quality and mitigating climate change. But they have to be managed carefully and responsibly. That’s why it’s critical to have a rigorous standard that can be applied nationally. The Forest Project Protocol has the advantage of being developed jointly by diverse groups with interest and expertise in forests. Environmental Defense Fund enthusiastically endorses the adoption of the Forest Project Protocol which will encourage a host of projects that provide multiple environmental benefits,” said Eric Holst Managing Director of the Center for Conservation Incentives, Environmental Defense Fund.

Several other companies have already indicated they are ready to utilize the Forest Project Protocol in their business activities. The Climate Action Reserve has been notified of potential forest projects in several states across the country that will be submitted for listing.

“As a leading investor in forest carbon projects, Equator LLC offers its strong support for the adoption of the Forest Project Protocol by the Climate Action Reserve. This protocol represents an important advancement in forest offset development and will drive investment into critical early action projects,” said Eron Bloomgarden, President, Environmental Markets of Equator LLC.

Like all Climate Action Reserve protocols, the Forest Project Protocol version 3.0 provides guidance for development of high quality offset projects and resulting credits. High quality is defined as being real, additional, permanent, verifiable and enforceable. Key updates to the Forest Project Protocol version 3.0 include:

  • Expanded applicability so the protocol may be used with projects throughout the U.S.
  • Standardized requirements and improved guidance for estimating baselines for reforestation, improved forest management and avoided conversion projects
  • An option for registering reforestation projects on lands that have recently undergone a significant natural disturbance
  • Explicit requirements and mechanisms to ensure permanence of credited GHG reductions
  • Improved requirements for more comprehensively addressing leakage
  • Requirements and guidance for accounting for carbon in harvested wood products
  • Refinement of the definition of “natural forest management”

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Climate Action Reserve Forest Protocol public workshop on August 17th

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

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Steven Corneli and Tim Profeta elected to Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors

Monday, July 6, 2009

Corneli and Profeta provide wealth of climate change experience from academic and business perspectives

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Climate Action Reserve, a nonprofit organization working to ensure environmental benefit, integrity and progressive movement in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions and policies, today announced Steven Corneli, Senior Vice President of Market and Climate Policy at NRG Energy, and Tim Profeta, Director of the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and Senior Associate Dean at Duke University, have joined the prominent climate leaders on the Reserve’s Board of Directors. The addition of Steven’s energy experience and Tim’s academic thought-leadership bring new perspectives to further diversify the environmental, finance and industry representation on the Reserve’s Board.

“As the implications of climate change are felt by communities and industries throughout North America, the Reserve is advancing climate solutions with an expanded Board that reflects the continent’s geographic diversity and varied perspectives,” said Linda Adams, Secretary of California EPA and Chair of the Climate Action Reserve. “I am confident Steve and Tim’s insight and expertise will greatly enrich the Board’s ability to guide the Climate Action Reserve as it produces regulatory-quality guidelines to ensure transparency and credibility in the development and verification of GHG emissions offset projects.”

Steven Corneli brings an extensive history of energy and climate policy experience to the Reserve. As NRG Energy’s Senior Vice President of Market and Climate Policy, he is responsible for developing and advancing the company’s positions on climate change policy and integrating emerging climate policies with NRG’s commercial, power development, and energy market activities. As a nationally recognized leader in energy policy, Steven has effectively built coalitions to design, strategize and advocate for climate policy legislation while driving NRG Energy to adopt a comprehensive and profitable plan for decarbonizing its portfolio.

“As the U.S. moves to develop and implement an integrated national approach to address global warming, the availability of high quality offsets will be crucial to environmental and economic sustainability,” said Steve. “As a leading developer of standards to assure both the quality and commercial viability of offsets, the Climate Action Reserve has an important role to play in the transition from regional and voluntary emission reduction efforts to a unified market-based national policy. I am excited by the opportunity to participate with the Climate Action Reserve during this important transition.”

Tim Profeta offers an academic perspective to the Reserve Board with his exceptional and distinguished career in environmental policy research and advocacy. As the Director of the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University, he addresses the world’s most pressing environmental problems through scientifically grounded nonpartisan research, analysis and education. Tim leads the Institute’s efforts to develop innovative, practical and effective solutions to share with decision makers in the public and private sectors. Prior to the Institute, Tim served as Counsel for the Environment to Senator Joseph Lieberman and while in this position was the principal architect of the Lieberman-McCain Climate Stewardship Act of 2003.

“There has never been a more pivotal moment than ours in the history of climate change. And the role of offsets — for both environmental protection and economic protection — has only grown more critical to the emergence of a federal policy in the U.S. The Climate Action Reserve is helping us build an offsets regime that we can have confidence in and that will serve these twin goals. I am delighted to take on this role with the organization,” said Tim.

The Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors reflects the diverse interests in the carbon market and includes distinguished leaders in finance, industry, environmental policy and now academia. The varied representation throughout sectors ensures that the Reserve’s programs benefit from widespread expertise. In addition to Steve and Tim, Chair Linda Adams is supported on the Board by:

  • Randy Armstrong, Environmental Issues Director for Shell Oil Company
  • Kathleen Brown, Head of Public Finance for the West, Goldman Sachs & Co
  • Jeffrey Kightlinger, General Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern CA
  • Dr. Adrían Fernández Bremauntz, President, National Institute of Ecology, Mexico
  • Peter Liu, Founder & Vice Chairman, New Resource Bank
  • Nancy McFadden, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, PG&E Corporation
  • Peter M. Miller, Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Fabian Nuñez, Former Speaker Emeritus, California State Assembly
  • Jan Schori, General Manager, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
  • Carl Zichella, Regional Director, Sierra Club

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Climate Action Reserve expands into international offset projects

Monday, July 6, 2009

Premier offset registry adopts two new protocols that will bring high quality offset credits from Mexico into the US carbon market

SACRAMENTO, CA – Making its first expansion into international carbon offset projects, the Climate Action Reserve adopted the Mexico Landfill Project Protocol version 1.0 and the Mexico Livestock Project Protocol version 1.0. The protocols, which are available for use now, provide new means for bringing international offset credits into the U.S. market and building the number of credits available in the current voluntary market and potentially in regulated markets. They also ensure these international offsets coming into U.S. markets pass the Big Five Test of being real, permanent, additional, verifiable and enforceable.

“There is tremendous potential for offset reduction projects in Mexico to play a very notable role in the American carbon market. The Climate Action Reserve’s Landfill and Livestock Project Protocols for Mexico represent a significant opportunity for Mexico to generate high quality offsets according to rigorous standards, thereby having a real effect on addressing climate change, and I am pleased they have been adopted,” said Adrián Fernández Bremauntz, President of the National Institute of Ecology (INE) in Mexico.

The protocols allow landfill and agriculture methane destruction projects in Mexican states to be registered with the Reserve, the premiere offset registry for the North American carbon market. They were developed in response to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in August 2008 by the six Mexican border states, the State of California, Pacific Gas & Electric Company and the Climate Action Reserve. Under the MOU, the signatories agreed to work cooperatively to develop quantification and verification protocols for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction projects in Mexico and that the Climate Action Reserve would develop protocols applicable to offset projects in Mexico.

Methane is over 21 times more destructive to the environment than carbon dioxide. Under the protocols, methane is captured and destroyed in practices that are additional to business as usual.

“Offset credits from international greenhouse gas reduction projects are going to be essential to the U.S. reaching its national climate change goals and mitigating climate change’s destructive and irreversible effects. It is critical that these offsets meet comprehensive standards for high quality, and that they do not falsely claim to reduce emissions. I am proud to see the Climate Action Reserve’s protocols for Mexican landfill and livestock projects establishing the early groundwork for this,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

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Climate Action Reserve exceeds one million offset credits issued

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Milestone is predictive of future Reserve development and carbon market trends

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Climate Action Reserve, the premier offset registry for the North American carbon market, announced it has issued over one million carbon offset credits, known as Climate Reserve Tonnes (CRT). This marks a milestone accomplishment for the Reserve, which was launched in May 2008, and serves as an indicator of the program’s future growth and what role it may play in the development of carbon markets.

Currently, 1,271,714 CRTs have been issued from six registered projects, and another 54 projects have been submitted or listed with the Reserve. The projects are located in a total of 26 states across the U.S. And, 101 project developers, traders, brokers, retailers, verification bodies and other buyers are account holders.

“The success of this offsets program is tremendous and signals the important role the Climate Action Reserve will play once California and the federal government establish a cap-and-trade program,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. “This shows important movement in the knowledge the public has about climate change and the motivation to change their environmental impact.”

The numbers also are indicative of how the Reserve may influence future market trends and fulfill offset needs in the voluntary market and regulated cap-and-trade programs.

“A cap-and-trade program along the lines of the Waxman-Markey bill would create annual demand for several hundred million tonnes of emissions reductions by 2015 with offset credits such as those created by the Reserve playing an important role. Hence, passing the one million offset credits issued is a crucial milestone in the development of the market,” said Milo Sjardin, Head of North America for New Carbon Finance.

The Reserve issues CRTs only to offset projects that are registered with it. The registered status means a project was inspected by an independent, third-party verification body and found to adhere to the criteria established in the respective Climate Action Reserve protocol and this verification finding and project documentation were reviewed and accepted by the Reserve. The Conservation Fund’s Big River/Salmon Creek Forests project was one of the recent registered projects that pushed the total issued CRT tally beyond one million and also is the largest Reserve project to date with 366,827 CRTs issued for 2008.

“As the fate of our earth’s climate takes on increasing urgency, we must take consistent, concerted action,” said Chris Kelly, California program director for The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit. “At The Conservation Fund, we believe that partnering with leaders such as the Climate Action Reserve is the best path forward. The Reserve’s high standards for verification ensure that its projects make a real and lasting positive impact on our environment.”

The Conservation Fund is dedicated to advancing America’s land and water legacy and has actively worked towards bettering forest management to create environments beneficial for all – fish, forests, local communities and the climate.

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Federal Mexican government official elected to Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors

Thursday, April 30, 2009

New seat adds international influence in development of the Reserve and its protocols, projects

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Climate Action Reserve, a private nonprofit organization working to ensure environmental benefit, integrity and progressive movement in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions and policies, announced Adrián Fernández Bremauntz, President of the National Institute of Ecology (INE) in Mexico, was elected to the organization’s Board of Directors. His participation adds an international influence to the future development of the Climate Action Reserve and an invaluable resource to advise on the environmental benefit the Reserve’s protocols and projects could provide in Mexico.

Dr. Fernández has an extensive and distinguished career in environmental protection in Mexico and abroad. Since 1995, he has served in senior positions at the Mexican Environment Secretariat, including General Director for Environmental Management and Information (1995-2000) and General Director for Research on Urban, Regional and Global Pollution (2001-2005). He also was a member of the Bureau for Latin America at the Commission for Sustainable Development. For many years, he represented Mexico at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Environmental Performance of Countries work group, and he is now a member of the Climate Change Annex I Expert Group also at the OECD. His Climate Change team at INE is responsible for preparing Mexico´s National Greenhouse Gases Inventories and National Communications that are submitted to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change.

In March 2005, Dr. Fernández was appointed President of the National Institute of Ecology, the research and think tank agency within the Environment Secretariat in Mexico, and he reports directly to Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada, Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources. He has a B.S. in Biology in Mexico and Masters Degree and a PhD from Imperial College in the UK.

“We are extremely honored and pleased to have a person of Dr. Fernández’s expertise and standing elected to the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors. His distinguished career, knowledge of environmental protection and experience with Mexican and global environmental issues will greatly enrich the Board’s ability to guide the Climate Action Reserve in its mission and addressing the global issue of climate change. As we look immediately at the environmental benefit of expanding the Reserve’s protocols and projects into Mexico, we could not have better counsel than that of Dr. Fernández,” said Linda Adams, Secretary, California Environmental Protection Agency and Chair of the Climate Action Reserve.

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Climate Action Reserve becomes parent organization to the California Climate Action Registry and two other programs

Thursday, April 2, 2009

New organizational structure supports national and international growth

SAN DIEGO, CA – The Climate Action Reserve announced it has become the successor organization to the California Climate Action Registry, formerly a private nonprofit organization committed to solving climate change through emissions reporting and reduction. The Reserve has now filled the role of being the parent organization – with private nonprofit status – working to ensure environmental benefit, integrity and progressive movement in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions and policies, and the California Climate Action Registry is a program under its umbrella.

The organizational evolution is the final step in the process of transitioning the California Registry out of GHG emissions inventory reporting. Any success in reporting and reducing emissions must be based on consistent data in an integrated system that stretches beyond California’s borders, and to support this, the California Registry is transitioning all emissions reporting to its sister organization, The Climate Registry. However, the California Registry will continue operating as a program under the Reserve that supports its members and represents them to the State of California.

In addition to the California Registry, two other programs belong to the Climate Action Reserve. The Center for Climate Action program operates under the mission of advancing climate policy. The Climate Action Reserve program was launched May 2008 and is the premiere carbon offset registry for the U.S. carbon market. Under the scope of the Climate Action Reserve parent organization, these programs are able to operate on national and international levels. This is a reach unable to be attained previously.

The introduction of the Climate Action Reserve nonprofit organization is a milestone event. It illustrates expansion of our mission and goals and the recognition of our work. It also represents a new world of opportunity in which high standards for environmental benefit, integrity and credibility are ensured in an offset market across the U.S. and beyond its borders,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

The Climate Action Reserve is a U.S. private nonprofit organization representing international interests in addressing climate change and bringing together participants from the government, environment and business sectors. It works to ensure environmental benefit, integrity and transparency in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting and reduction and progressive movement in GHG emissions policy nationally and in the Western U.S. The Climate Action Reserve is parent to three programs, the California Climate Action Registry, Climate Action Reserve and Center for Climate Action. As the subsequent organization of the California Climate Action Registry, the Climate Action Reserve continues building on the California Registry’s reputation as a respected and internationally recognized leader in climate change issues.

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Environmental organizations line up behind the Climate Action Reserve

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Jointly signed letter singles out the Reserve for unmatched credibility and transparency; commitment to strong environmental safeguards

SAN DIEGO, CA – The Climate Action Reserve, the premiere carbon offset registry for the North American carbon market, announced it earned a letter of support from some of the country’s most respected environmental organizations. The announcement was made at the Navigating the American Carbon World conference here, amidst forecasts for the linking of certain regulatory-quality voluntary offsets programs in the U.S. with a future mandatory U.S. offset program.

The letter represents an unprecedented and unique honor. It states collective support for the establishment of the Climate Action Reserve to measure, track and report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction projects in North America for use as voluntary emissions offsets. While the signatory organizations do not endorse the use of offsets for compliance with regulatory markets, they single out the Climate Action Reserve for its credibility, transparency and commitment to strong environmental safeguards.

The high degree of credibility and transparency achieved by the Reserve is currently unmatched by any other registry. Therefore, we believe that the Reserve currently provides the best available option for project developers, and consumers in the voluntary offsets market.

The letter signatories include:

  • Connie Best, Managing Director
    The Pacific Forest Trust
  • Bernadette Del Chiaro, Director Clean Energy and Global Warming Programs
    Environment California
  • Peter Miller, Senior Scientist
    Natural Resources Defense Council
  • David Moulton, Director Climate Policy and Conservation Funding
    The Wilderness Society
  • Erin Rogers, Western Region Climate Campaign Manager
    Union of Concerned Scientists
  • Rob Sargeant, Energy Program Director
    Environment America
  • Carl Zichella, Director of Western Renewable Programs
    Sierra Club

“These environmental organizations recognize that while voluntary emissions offsets are not adequate to stopping global warming on their own, they are an important part of the solution as they can deliver environmental benefits above and beyond mandatory limits. Considering this, we felt it was important to recognize and support a program that we believe ensures that offsets actually achieve true environmental benefits,” Miller said.

“We are truly honored to be supported by some of the most notable and highly respected individuals and organizations in the environmental movement today. Through public involvement, transparent processes and wide-industry participation, we have established the Climate Action Reserve as an offsets program that provides environmental benefit, integrity and credibility while still encouraging financial value in the voluntary offset market. This letter of support provides tremendous validation of this work, and we will strive to continue to raise these standards as we expand our offset protocols across North America,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

The Climate Action Reserve is a U.S. private nonprofit organization representing international interests in addressing climate change and bringing together participants from the government, environment and business sectors. It works to ensure environmental benefit, integrity and transparency in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting and reduction and progressive movement in GHG emissions policy nationally and in the Western U.S. The Climate Action Reserve is parent to three programs, the California Climate Action Registry, Climate Action Reserve and Center for Climate Action. As the subsequent organization of the California Climate Action Registry, the Climate Action Reserve continues building on the California Registry’s reputation as a respected and internationally recognized leader in climate change issues.

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Climate Action Reserve makes milestone expansion of carbon credit program

Monday, March 23, 2009

New York landfill becomes first carbon reduction project to earn credits outside of California

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Climate Action Reserve, CCAR’s premiere carbon offset registry for the US carbon market, announced that it has issued its first carbon credits for a project located outside of California. These credits, known as Climate Reserve Tonnes (CRT), also represent the first to be issued under the Climate Action Reserve’s Landfill Project Reporting Protocol. This is a milestone expansion of its program of credits, which meet the highest standards for quality and integrity.

The credits were issued to the Development Authority of the North County (DANC) Landfill Gas Destruction Project. The project, located in Rodman, New York, is a sanitary landfill that combusts and generates electricity from food waste, garden and park waste, wood, paper and textiles, plastics, concrete, metal and other inert waste. Detailed information regarding the project is available on the Climate Action Reserve website.

“We are pleased to see the Reserve has issued credits to the DANC landfill project,”

said Ron Luhur, Carbon Markets Specialist for Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

“After rigorously reviewing more than 70 projects against our quality criteria for credible offsets, the DANC is one of 11 projects featured on CarbonOffsetList.org, EDF’s independent guide to credible offset projects. These selected projects were reviewed by a committee of independent experts and thought leaders in science, engineering and public policy.”

The DANC Landfill Gas Destruction Project qualifies for CRTs under the Landfill Project Reporting Protocol, which provides guidance to quantify and report GHG emission reductions associated with installing a landfill gas collection and destruction system at landfill operations. Like all of the Climate Action Reserve’s protocols, the Landfill Project Reporting Protocol was developed through a thorough, transparent process and upholds its projects to the highest standards. The quality and credibility of the protocol help influence CRTs’ high market selling prices.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the first CRTs issued both outside of California and under the Landfill Project Reporting Protocol. The DANC project represents the first of many upcoming projects that are going to expand the Reserve’s geographic reach and influence on a wide variety of high-quality, environmentally-sound carbon reduction projects,”

said Linda Adams, Chair of the CCAR Board of Directors and Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

“The project also represents a significant achievement toward our goal of 1.5 million real, permanent, and additional credits issued within the Reserve’s first year of operation.”

The Climate Action Reserve is a program of the California Climate Action Registry that provides accurate and transparent measurement, verification and tracking of greenhouse gas reduction projects and their inventories of Climate Reserve Tonnes (CRTs), assuring a high degree of environmental integrity in the voluntary carbon reduction market. For additional information, please visit http://www.climateregistry.org/reserve.

The California Climate Action Registry is a private nonprofit organization committed to solving climate change through emissions reporting and reduction. It serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) registry for entity-wide emission inventories and also establishes protocols for GHG emission reduction (offset) projects through its Climate Action Reserve program. The protocols are created through a rigorous, transparent process and are widely regarded as among the highest quality standards for offset projects. The Climate Action Reserve also accredits and oversees independent verifiers and tracks the transactions of project offset inventories, adding confidence and credibility to the voluntary carbon market. The accuracy, transparency and integrity of all of the California Registry’s standards have earned it the reputation as a respected and internationally recognized leader in climate change issues.

The California Climate Action Registry was originally formed by the State of California in 2001 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. For additional information, please visit www.climateregistry.org.

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