Climate Action Reserve

Our Favorite Climate Cartoons from Tom Toles, Washington Post

rlee — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:45:22 +0000

Here at the Reserve, we really enjoy the wit and humor of editorial cartoons. In previous blog posts, we shared our favorite cartoons from Joel Pett (Lexington Herald Leader) and David Horsey (Los Angeles Times). Today, we’re very pleased to share our favorite climate cartoons from Tom Toles, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for the Washington Post. Mr. Toles provides hilariously smart commentary on the languorous progress of climate action through his cartoons. To view more of his work, please visit the Washington Post website.

Revised policy for continued registration under ARB approved protocols

Kyle Gentile — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:44:49 +0000

Errata and Clarifications released for the U.S. Landfill Project Protocol Versions 4.0, 3.0, 2.1, and 2.0

Kyle Gentile — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 04:44:01 +0000

Rice Cultivation Project Protocol Version 1.1 Now Available

Kyle Gentile — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 04:43:17 +0000

Climate Action Offsetter: The Philadelphia Marathon

rlee — Fri, 31 May 2013 01:15:38 +0000

written by the Philadelphia Marathon

Photo by Jim McWilliams / The Philadelphia Marathon

The Philadelphia Marathon is a government-produced event that ranks among the nation’s top-10 largest marathons. At more than 30,000 runners, 60,000 spectators and 3,000 volunteers, the event has emerged as more than just a race, but a platform for many impactful causes.

Race organizers have created a sustainable event that helps preserve Earth’s natural resources while also transforming the Philadelphia Marathon into a model for eco-friendly sporting events.

Through new environmentally-responsible initiatives and partnerships, the Philadelphia Marathon achieved an 87-percent diversion of waste away from landfills during last November’s race.

The Philadelphia Marathon collaborated with Green Mountain Energy, the nation’s longest serving energy retailer, to offset about 1.3 million pounds of CO2 emissions – the entire carbon footprint of event. That act served the energy equivalent of taking 116 passenger cars off the road for a year or if 250,500 households turned off all their lights for one day. The marathon’s emission profile included emissions from race vehicles, electricity used on race day (from diesel generators and from being plugged into the grid), electricity used at the Health & Fitness Expo (a free two-day event that is open on Friday and Saturday, preceding Sunday’s Philadelphia Marathon and Half Marathon), runners’ mobile emissions, and runners’ air travel emissions.

A significant benefit of being one of a few municipally-operated marathons is that the Philadelphia Marathon shares strong relationships with City departments. The Philadelphia Marathon partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service to recruit Waste Watchers — volunteers stationed among hydration stops and at the start/finish line to educate race attendees on how to properly sort trash, recycling and compost.

The added sustainability initiatives and partnerships resulted in:

Recycling 700 lbs of used Heatsheets, which are made of a metalized low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and distributed to warm-up runners at the finish line
Collecting 9,840 lbs of discarded outer layers of warm-up clothing and donating them to the Bethesda Project, a local nonprofit organization assisting the homeless population
Recycling over 450 excess runner’s bags and recycling their contents
Composting more than 600,000 cups used during the races to drink water and replacement fluids
Melting down and recycling over 100 pounds of excess runners’ medals

The successful initiatives align with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and the City of Philadelphia’s sustainability plan which focuses on more than 160 initiatives in the targeted areas of energy, environment, and engagement, in addition to economy and equity.

Marathon sustainability efforts were the result of collaboration among City departments and programs including the Office of the City Representative, Streets Department, Police Department, Mayor’s Office of Community Service (R.I.S.E.), Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service.

Friday, Nov. 15 through Sunday, Nov. 17 will celebrate the Philadelphia Marathon’s 20th anniversary. Race organizers plan to continue serving as one of the most sustainable marathons in the country through eco-friendly initiatives. To register online, applicants can visit www.philadelphiamarathon.com.

California Agency Secretary and Government Relations Exec Join Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors

Jennifer Weiss — Wed, 29 May 2013 17:44:23 +0000

Natural Resources Secretary John Laird and Marnie Funk add more depth, experience to a diverse group of Board members

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors elected two new members who strengthen the organization’s ties to the State of California and together add new perspectives and depth to the Board. The new members join at an exciting time as the Board advises on the organization’s strategic direction and operations while it serves California’s cap-and-trade program and looks to support other regulatory programs. John Laird, Secretary for the California Natural Resources Agency, brings a wealth of experience in and commitment to environmental conservation and public service. And, Marnie Funk, Senior Government Relations Advisor at Shell, brings a strong background in government relations and communications where she has worked on supporting Federal climate change legislation.

“We are extremely honored to have Secretary Laird and Ms. Funk join the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors. Both have accomplished careers and will bring unique insight and perspectives to the Reserve. Their contributions will be valuable in helping chart our future growth and development,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors and Founding Partner of Clean Tech Advocates. “These two individuals further demonstrate the balance of corporate, environmental, academic and government perspectives that is a cornerstone of the Reserve’s Board and which is truly unique.”

Secretary Laird was appointed to his position by Governor Jerry Brown on January 5, 2011. As Secretary, he oversees the California Natural Resources Agency’s work to restore, protect and manage the state’s natural, historical and cultural resources. Secretary Laird has served the public for 35 years of his career, including serving the maximum three terms in the California State Assembly. During his terms as an Assembly member, he authored 82 bills that were signed into law, including the bills that established the landmark Sierra Nevada Conservancy and significantly expanded water conservation

“The Climate Action Reserve has deep roots in California, and while I have interacted with it over the past several years, I have consistently been impressed with its work to protect our environment and its commitment to offset integrity. I am pleased to join its Board of Directors and be a part of its ongoing mission,” said Secretary Laird.

Ms. Funk has been a leader in Shell’s public presence and government affairs since she joined the corporation in 2007 as Vice President of Communications. Currently, she serves as Senior Government Relations Advisor and Director of CO₂ Advocacy. Prior to joining Shell, Ms. Funk managed communications for the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee and the House Resources Committee.

“I am honored to join such a stellar Board. I have been impressed by the Board members’ individual reputations and the Board’s collective reputation for ingenuity, leadership and vision. I am pleased to join the effort, under Gary’s inspired leadership, to navigate the next steps for the Reserve,” said Ms. Funk.

Buyer liability insurance now available for California’s cap-and-trade offset program

Jennifer Weiss — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:38:44 +0000

In a unique alliance, Parhelion offers insurance on compliance offset credits that originate from the Climate Action Reserve

LOS ANGELES, CA and LONDON – The Climate Action Reserve, North America’s premier carbon offset registry, and Parhelion Underwriting Ltd., the leading innovator for carbon market insurance products, today announced a unique, strategic alliance to support the delivery of the first insurance product for compliance offset credits in California’s Cap-and-Trade Program. Under this alliance, Parhelion is offering insurance against invalidation for compliance offset credits that were transitioned from credits originally issued by the Reserve and the Climate Action Reserve will share its unrivalled experience and deep insight in to North American carbon offset projects, thereby, supporting the wider market development and helping its clients solve a critical risk issue.

“Invalidation of offset credits has been a concern for the market, especially for compliance buyers. While the Reserve has a well-established reputation for its knowledge and experience in reviewing offset projects and ensuring that offsets have real environmental integrity, we are always looking for ways to further protect our account holders and market participants. So, we are very excited to enter this agreement with Parhelion and be a part of this pioneering initiative,” said Gary Gero, President of the Climate Action Reserve.

The insurance product, Parhelion California ARB Offset Credit Invalidation Insurance, covers ARB Offset Credits (ARBOCs) that were transitioned from Reserve-issued Registry Offset Credits (ROCs) or Early Action Offset Credits (EAOCs). The insurance underwrites the risk of invalidation of ARBOCs, removing the financial risk associated with this from the holder of the offsets. This private insurance of the most trusted offset credits provides the assurance and security being sought by the market.

“We saw a definite need in the market for insurance covering offsets in California’s cap-and-trade program. Not wanting to commit to a risky move ourselves, we conducted exhaustive research into the offsets program and found the Reserve has an outstanding history of thoroughly analyzing projects and issuing only high quality offset credits. We are delighted to be benefiting from the Climate Action Reserve’s extensive experience and knowledge. It will give us the opportunity to provide their clients with even greater confidence in the offset created,” said Julian Richardson, CEO of Parhelion Underwriting Ltd.

The offsets program of California’s cap-and-trade market represents a key means for regulated companies to keep their costs of compliance manageable, which means extra costs are not passed on to consumers. It also provides a way to incentivize non-regulated industries to reduce their emissions. Parhelion’s offset credit insurance provides additional confidence for buyers and sellers to participate in this program.

“We designed the cap-and-trade program to ensure the integrity of the emission reductions and had hoped and expected that the private insurance market would provide a solution to backstop our right to invalidate improper offsets,” said Mary Nichols, Chairman of the California Air Resources Board (ARB). “We are very happy to see that such a product is now available and congratulate Parhelion and the Climate Action Reserve for their fine work.”

Public comment period open for draft Organic Waste Composting Project Protocol Version 1.1 – public webinar on May 29, comments due June 10

Kyle Gentile — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:15:18 +0000

Celebrating National Bike Month!

rlee — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:40:01 +0000

Reserve staff members are pleased to celebrate National Bike Month with their favorite bicycling experiences, trails, and thoughts! Bicycling produces positive environmental, economic, health, and social benefits. These days more and more commuters are choosing two wheels over four. We hope you’re also celebrating National Bike Month and enjoying the ride!

Share a bicycle memory that has had a lasting effect on you in our comment section below to win one of five Reserve front bike lights! Thanks!

Stephen H. rides with Jesus

What is your ride?

I have a 2009 Schwinn Le Tour. It has carbon forks and an aluminum frame. While it isn’t the fanciest road bike on the market, it gets the job done.

What is your favorite bike trail?

Some of my favorite biking trails are in Minnesota outside of the Minneapolis/St Paul area. They have a fantastic rails to trails program and the paths are oftentimes meandering through beautiful lush forests and coinciding with rivers and lakes. As you push forward on your ride you can really feel the purity of the air rush through your lungs. I also really enjoy riding on the coast in San Diego. The bike lanes are plentiful and the pacific ocean is beautiful.

What is your best bike memory?

My favorite biking memory was when I went to Baja, Mexico to do a ride with my buddy Jesus. The ride is 50 miles from Rosarito to Ensenada. The ride traverses the coast and cuts inland through the Baja desert. Hundreds of people come to do the ride at one time and all the roads are blocked off to prohibit automotive traffic (http://www.rosaritoensenada.org/). It was a great experience to only share the road with fellow bikers and experience the rugged terrain of Baja on a bike. It was definitely a hard ride and at the end we enjoyed a little party by the beach in Ensenada. Luckily, my friends family owns a taqueria called Tacos El Chente so the food was endless.

What do you love most about bicycling?

The thing I find most enjoyable about biking is the fact that you can get to a destination while simultaneous exercising. Being in LA, which is mostly flat, it is easy to get around to fulfill daily routines on a bicycle. I also enjoy the fact that I am not contributing to our reliance on oil to get around. As cities become more condensed it will clearly be inefficient to operate a vehicle.

What do you think about LA’s bicycling infrastructure?

LA biking infrastructure is improving and I really appreciate the marketing campaigns the city is installing, which suggest that “every lane is a bike lane.” I feel that it’s very important for motorists to realize this because sometimes it feels slightly dangerous biking around the city. However, biking infrastructure in the city has a long way to go. I think LA could definitely use a bike sharing program as well as the installment of more electric bikes. Within the LA metropolitan area it seems that people are heavily dependent on personal transportation. I read some interesting statistics awhile back that suggested over half of all car trips are approximately 3 miles or less. It is amazing to consider this, because a 3 mile bike trip takes less than 30 minutes. Ultimately, I would like to see more people biking and utilizing public transportation because it would definitely help with localized sources of air pollution and contribute to a healthier population.

Heather R. does not let LA drivers deter her

What is your ride?

A Kona Dew Plus hybrid bike in sage green. My first vehicle purchase after moving to LA!

What is your favorite bike trail?

I really like biking through Griffith Park. Cyclists are not allowed on the dirt hiking trails, but the roads are perfect for my hybrid bike and are mostly shaded, so it’s a pleasant ride even in the summer heat. Going into the park on Crystal Springs Drive, you can bike past the zoo, head down Zoo Drive, pass the Travel Town railway museum, then head up a challenging incline on Griffith Park Drive. You end up back on Crystal Springs Drive and ready to head home from there…or wherever your bike may take you! Griffith Park Map

What is your best bike memory?

My first adult bike purchase when I was 9 years old: a red mountain bike. I was finally able to head into the dirt hills with my big brother and straight through overgrown fields. I had that bike for about 15 years…definitely got my money’s worth!

What do you love most about bicycling?

When the physical challenge of some trails is completely overshadowed by the beauty of nature around you.

Any tips for biking in LA?

When road biking in LA, you have to assume that no one driving a car sees you. It’s the best safety tip I can give. But also to not let that intimidate you from venturing out on your bike. There are many quiet roads in LA that lead to beautiful parks or community gardens. You can also take your bike to Griffith Park for a ride without battling traffic, or out to some mountain trails within an hour from the city. There are so many areas to explore with your bicycle, don’t let those LA drivers deter you!

Teresa L. hits the mud-erlode

What is your ride?

I absolutely love taking my bike down to the Strand (aka the bike path on the beach) where I live in Manhattan Beach. During the summer, I barely use my car on the weekends, and just bike along the Strand everywhere I need to go! There really is nothing like cycling along the beach in the summer sunshine.

What is your favorite bike trail?

When I have time for a longer bike ride, I love to take my bike north along the beach. The best is to bike all the way from one end of Los Angeles’s coastal bike path to the other. It starts just south of me in Hermosa Beach, winds around the inner edge of the marina in Marina Del Rey, and then hits the beach again to take you through the Venice and Santa Monica boardwalks, under the pier, all the way north to Pacific Palisades, where Sunset Blvd. hits the Pacific Coast Highway.

What is your most lasting bike memory?

Definitely not the “best” memory, but by far the most memorable…. After living in Costa Rica and Nicaragua for a few years, I have come to be known as quite prone to cycling accidents. By far the worst occurred while I was living in rural Nicaragua. Once or twice a week, I had to visit the next town over to teach my ecotourism class. It was a 12 km trip (7 sort of flat, 5 uphill) on a dirt road in the middle of the rainy season. Sometimes I was able to hitch a ride or take a bus the first 7 km, but frequently I biked, and on one particularly rainy day, I didn’t make it…. At km 6.5, on the last gently sloping downhill prior to where the river that crosses the road (and yes, everyone has to ford the river, whether on foot, in car, or on bike), I started gaining way too much speed. On soft mud (as the road was that day), hand brakes don’t do a whole lot… In what can only be described as “fishtailing in the mud,” I managed to launch myself superman-style over the handle bars, landing face first in the mud in the middle of the road. Totally by myself, in the middle of nowhere, and hoping there wouldn’t be too much traffic on the road, I lay face down in the mud as I slowly checked, limb by limb, to make sure I wasn’t injured. Miraculously, I walked away with barely more than a few scratches and a handle-bar shaped bruise across my thighs, but my bike wasn’t so lucky — I managed to bend and break my bike wheel in the process, preventing me from biking home. After over an hour, one of my neighbors happened to drive by in a pick up truck, and graciously gave me a ride home — he definitely made me and my bike ride in the back though!! He and the other passengers also asked for permission to take photos of me (the town’s lone gringa) to show their families how ridiculous I looked!

What do you love most about bicycling?

I love the feel of wind in your face when riding fast. Especially if it’s a sea breeze with a view! Also, when I was living in Central America, I loved seeing a family of 4 managing to ride the same bike – Dad pedaling, Mom on the center bar holding the baby, and the older child perched on the handlebars. It’s not as easy as it looks!! (trust me I’ve tried)

Any tips for cyclists?

I think bicycling, especially in LA or other big cities, comes with responsibilities to know and follow traffic laws. Cars absolutely need to share the road, but bicyclists must keep their own safety in mind at all times – and that includes following the rules of the road! If bicyclists don’t do a good job of signaling turns or lane changes, or run red lights, our actions become unpredictable to others on the road, increasing the risk of accidents! After getting hit by a mo-ped while cycling in Costa Rica, I was mad at the mo-ped driver – but looking back now, I realize that accident was totally my fault and completely preventable because I didn’t signal properly.

Rhey L. brakes for ice cream

What is your ride?

Vintage 3-speed tourist bicycle bought off Craigslist.

What is your favorite bike trail?

The Poudre River Trail in Fort Collins, Colorado. The trail meanders along the scenic Poudre River – the last free-flowing river in Colorado – and features a beautiful ecosystem of trees, plants, and wildlife. You can wave hello to the fly-fisherman and tubers, see the Rocky Mountains in the distance, and hop off the trail to visit several fantastic craft breweries nearby.

What is your best bike memory?

Riding on a breezy autumn day with golden leaves cascading from trees and swirling round and round like kids trying to get dizzy.

What do you love most about bicycling?

I love most the feeling of flying you get when you reach a stretch of road with a slightly downhill grade and you can stop pedaling for a moment. Especially if you’re riding in the middle of the night when the roads are carless, still and quiet, and the air is clear and chill and crisp, and you have Bob Dylan singing to you through your headphones – it feels like a dream.

What do you love second-most about bicycling?

Bicycling provides a great opportunity to really experience the best in a community. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to smell trees and flowers on your route or maybe some fresh baked bread as you pass a corner bakery. You’ll see details in architecture, landscaping, and street art that would have been missed from a car. When you’re riding, it’s easy to stop for a treat when you see an ice cream cart. And sometimes, the best times, people will thank you just for riding. I do.

Stephanie S. shares a tip on the best car-free stretch in LA

What is your ride?

Specialized brand. Lady-sized and perfect for short people.

What is your favorite bike trail?

When I lived in Culver City it was great to jump on the Ballona Creek path and ride it down to the sea. And if so inclined I could turn left and keep going south to Palos Verdes. It’s the best car-free stretch in L.A.

What is your best bike memory?

Climbing the entire length of Big Tujunga (without stopping) up to Clear Creek on the Angeles Forest Highway. And this was on my old, heavy steel bike that had fewer gears.

What do you love most about bicycling?

Cycling is exhausting and I’ll never be comfortable with the cars. But one does get a great sense of achievement in a long ride, it’s great exercise, and if you are in a car-free area (bike path, country road) it is quite a high to zip along making no noise and being able to look at the scenery and be in the scenery.

Max D. tinkers, tailors, soldiers with his bike

What is your ride?

An aluminum Vitus road bike made in France in the early 1990s. I removed the gears and converted it to a single speed with a freehub.

What is your favorite bike trail?
The Strand along the beach.

What is your best bike memory?

Commuting to UCSB on the trails along the Elwood Bluffs. There’s nothing like it!

What do you love most about bicycling?

I love the freedom of movement as compared to other forms of transportation, as well as the hobby aspect of puttering with the bike itself.

What are your thought’s on LA’s bike infrastructure?

New bikes paths and bike lanes aren’t going to help solve the issue of LA being completely sprawling and spread out, but it sure could make the neighborhoods more pleasant. We have possibly the most compatible climate for bicycling, and yet it’s not seen as a major mode of transportation as it is in other cities (Portland, Minneapolis, Copenhagen, etc.). Good bicycle infrastructure can go a long way toward changing that.

Anna S. enjoys the California sunshine on her cruiser

What is your ride?

Single speed 3G ladies beach cruiser, designed right here in Southern California.

What is your favorite bike trail?

I like any bike path that provides an interesting or scenic journey to a deliciously refreshing end point. A few that come to mind are Crystal Cove State Park, which has Ruby’s Shake Shack at one end; riding along the Isar River from the center of town in Munich up to Gasthof Hinterbrühl; and riding around the historic town center of Oxford and through the surrounding fields, which provides many refreshing points throughout the journey.

What do you love most about biking?

Biking for me has a lot of the same benefits as walking (which I also love) but is just faster. It helps me grasp of the lay of the land and get an understanding of the place I’m visiting in a way that would be impossible by driving or even riding on public transportation. I like having the flexibility and accessibility that riding a bike affords when exploring new places.

What’s your best bike memory?

I think my best bike memory is yet to come. I’ve always been more of a recreational or tourist biker, but within the next few years I would like to take part in “Bike to the Beach,” an annual bike ride to raise awareness for autism. My cousins and a couple friends of theirs turned their annual bike ride from Bethesda, MD to Bethany Beach, DE into several 100-mile rides that now take place along the East Coast. Since officially becoming a 501(c)(3) in 2007, Bike to the Beach has raised over a million dollars for autism awareness. Even though it has grown quite large in recent years (over 2000 people ride and volunteer at the event), it still has a family and friends vibe. To date at least a dozen of my family members have participated in the ride, including three of my siblings. So my cruiser might be taking the backseat to a more serious (read: multiple speed) bike soon enough.

Forest Project Guidance on Tree Height Estimation released for forest projects reporting under both early action and compliance offset programs

Kyle Gentile — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:22:01 +0000