Integrated CO2 compensation

Setting a good example

Climate-neutral management is not only good for the environment, but also sends out a strong signal to employees and other stakeholders. You are showing that you are aware of the negative impact of your business on the environment and that you take responsibility for it.

An additional advantage is that you are setting a good example for others. Employees who are proud of their organisation are more likely to take responsibility themselves. Cost savings made as a result of reduced energy use are often more than the cost of offsetting CO2 emissions.

The fact that the government has included CO2 reduction and compensation in the criteria for sustainable purchasing is an important and positive development. This will be a big stimulus for many companies to do business in a sustainable way.

Invoicing

VCK Travel can integrate compensation into its booking system. With each flight reservation, the CO2 emission equivalent is automatically calculated and compensated for. Compensation costs are stated on your invoice.

Download an example invoice (in Dutch)

Calculating your carbon footprint

The Climate Neutral Group calculates the total CO2 emissions of organisations and individuals, i.e., their carbon footprint. You can calculate your own carbon footprint using the CO2 Calculator. If your company’s business processes are highly complex, your VCK Account Manager and a specialist from the Climate Neutral Group can help you draw up an inventory.

CO2 'equivalents'

At the high altitudes where planes fly, there are other gases besides CO2 that contribute to the greenhouse effect. The environmental impact of these gases (e.g., methane and nitrogen oxide) is expressed in CO2 ‘equivalents’. GreenSeat makes allowance for these by multiplying the amount of CO2 by 2. This method of calculation is also used by the EU.

Some organisations offering to calculate your impact only take the effect of CO2 into account. That means that, although your flights may be carbon-neutral, you are only compensating for 50% of the negative environmental impact of flying.

Compensation projects

The Climate Neutral Group has a high-quality portfolio of compensation projects. By developing projects independently, the chain from project to compensation is kept as short as possible, maximising the positive effect on the climate.

Besides helping to combat climate change, the Climate Neutral Group selects its projects on the basis of ‘co-benefits’, such as employment, access to energy sources in developing countries, and biodiversity. The Climate Neutral Group website lists all its current projects.

Annual Report of the Climate Neutral Group

The Annual Report 2009 of the Climate Neutral Group (in Dutch only) gives an account of new partnerships, a number of compensation projects and the financial figures.

Contact

VCK Travel and the Climate Neutral Group can help your organisation to take the step towards sustainable management, and can offer you advice on the various possibilities – from reduction to compensation and communication.

For more information or to request a quotation, please contact us by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or on +31 (0)20 6800 802. More information is available at http://www.climateneutralgroup.com

Downloads

Annual Report 2009 of the Climate Neutral Group (in Dutch)