Primary Global Offset Programs - Coursework Example

Carbon offset is a program aimed at ensuring that there is a minimum release of carbon into the atmosphere by the industries around the world. Carbonoffset program is aimed at ensuring that it “offsets” the investments in carbon reduction activities by granting the industries which reduce the amount of carbon a certain sum of money. This is dependent on the cut of previous carbon gas emissions. The measure of determining the gas cut is metric tons. A single carbon offset is taken to represent a reduction in the metric tons of carbon gas emitted. (Graciela et al pp. 106). Under the carbon offset structure, there are two markets. The first one is the large industries which includes governments, companies etc. These buy carbon offsets for them to comply with the regulations of the Carbon controls agreement. The next market involves smaller carbon emitters from the family level or individuals. Under this, the individual or a family unit may buy a carbon offset as a way to compensate the amount of Carbon resulting from such activities as air travel or driving a car of a certain level whose carbon emission is higher. (Miller pp.42). These offsets are aimed at ensuring that there are continuous investments in search of environmental friendly forms of energy these include the wind source of energy, solar energy and other sources of energy that do not lead to an increase in the amount of gas emitted into the atmosphere. The knowledge and accommodation of the carbon offset program has not been very high around the world which is a factor contributed by several elements. Some of the reasons are poor communication such as in continents like Africa where there is very little information about the Carbon offset program. (Graciela et al pp. 74). Besides in Asia, some countries are not also aware of the offset program and how it works. An example of this is the United Arab Emirates which is the subject to this discussion. Despite its high Carbon Emissions, it has not adopted the program the main reason being lack of adequate information on the program. The other factor which is a major undoing for the program is the fact that the world is not balanced thus every country is not reached; the program guiders choose to concentrate on countries that have the greatest emissions. Where else this may be the way to go, I tend to argue that reaching the developing countries would be equally important. Realization of the programs goals is obviously ensuring that the carbon emissions are cut and if these developing countries are not to invest in the same technologies, then there will simply be a replacement of emitters. This is in the fact that the developed countries may have successfully invested in good technology but then the developing countries would use the same old techniques merely adding to the emission cycle. (Miller pp.110). However, it has not been all bad for the carbon off setting as countries in the west have found it a useful way of increasing investments in renewable sources of energy. In these countries, offsetting has picked up a considerable pace and the total amount spent on the same averages billions of dollars annually for these Western countries only. Carbon offset does not operate like some blind ridden structure but has guidelines on compensation, identifiable features and the source of these offsets. Sources There are some two identified sources of offsets. These include: the renewable energy and the renewable energy credits. Renewable energy- this includes offsets in some environmental friendly sources of energy which include use of solar energy, wind power and others as bio generated fuels. Under these situations, the offsets are used to bridge the cost of using the renewable sources of energy as opposed to use of the Carbon emitting energy sources. This is obviously in assumption that the use of renewable energy leads to a higher cost for the companies. This creates the needed incentive to have the companies invest in these favorable sources of energy. The renewable energy credits are somewhat a reverse relation where the company offset is determined by an evaluation of the energy used from the renewable sources. However to come up with the actual offset value the energy produced must be converted to carbon volume. (Graciela et al pp.112). This is not possible so the assumption in determining the offset value is that the energy from renewable sources displaces an equivalent volume of carbon gas in the atmosphere. This clearly gives the amount to be compensated to these companies for their investments in renewable energy. Concepts in carbon offsets Vintage- this is the period over which the investment on renewable source takes place. Source- this is the technology utilized in coming up with the carbon displacement energy. Certification regimes- these are the systems that are utilized in coming up with the offsetting values. . (Miller pp.76). These are designed depending with the market as it is what determines the coverage cum size of emissions. Carbon offset organizations There are several participants within the Carbon offsetting program where the participants either join as single companies or form a body which collectively champions for carbon reductions. These are the Carbon offset organizations. These organizations are quite many in the United States and can be identified easily as they have a bracket name (BELC). Representing Business Environmental Leadership Council. An example of the four members as required is, The Dow Chemical Company, The Boeing Company, United Technologies and Deere & Company. Carbon Off set companies in the UK and Europe, BP, The Land Rover Company, Carbon zero offsets, and Be Green. Value added services for individual companies These companies under the name BELC have a formula or commitment of ensuring that the total volume of carbon released in the atmosphere is greatly reduced to ensure a proper environment for all individuals. These include the small businesses which are mainly dependent on these big companies. Mainly the value added to the small companies may not be easily derived as there is no direct measure nor is quantification possible. But association with environmental conscious companies has an intrinsic value on the smaller businesses. This is mainly so in the cases of customers who view these smaller companies as part of the larger ones. Besides the investments made in the bigger companies, is with time passed down to the smaller companies which in turn applies to contributing to a reduction in Carbon emissions without much of a direct investment. Recognition by Government The United States of America government is a strong advocate of environmental conservation and greatly supports companies and individuals who invest in ways of coming up with better and friendly sources of energy. Besides, the government joins other governments around the country in ensuring that there is a coordinated effort in cutting down the level of Carbon emissions released into the atmosphere. This is in acknowledgment that the long run effects of these emissions will not be selective but will cover and affect the globe as a whole. More on the governments support in better energy sources in terms of Carbon emissions is seen in its accent of the Kyoto protocol which is aimed at cutting down the level of carbon emissions globally. Though an initiative by the UN Kyoto protocol sought to seal the loops identified in the Carbon Offset program. (Victor pp.96). The above information seeks to demonstrate the participation of the government in reduction of carbon emissions; this is not exclusive of the industries or companies under it. Thus yes, the association whether commercial involved in ensuring the preservation of the environment is identified by the government. This is not exclusive of the companies under BELC which are all participants of the Carbon Offsetting program. The government works with these companies and organizations towards ensuring better production and energy sources are researched on; the government gives subsides or offers support programs for researches on these matters. UAE-Programs of Carbon Offsetting There are several Carbon offsetting programs in the United Arab Emirates especially in the recent past as the country seeks to join the global campaign of environmental preservation among the most notable offsetting program is the: The plant a million tree campaign which is done through the government collaboration with the environmental bodies in the country. The other is the conservancy program run by the UAE Wildlife Society and the World Wildlife Fund. The last of the programs is run by the Sabban Property Investments in collaboration with the government aimed at ensuring that there are adequate investments made in coming up with a large scale wind farm. Of importance to note is that most of the research by SPI is in China though part of the research is also in UAE. Primary Global offset programs These are major and affordable programs that are utilized all over the world and have with time gained fame (Pollan pp. 42). These programs include: Re-forestation- this is the replanting of trees to curb the Carbon emissions Renewable energy- this is the pursuit of friendly energy sources such as solar energy, use of bio fuel and wind energy among other clean sources of energy. Others like deforestation and de-desertification have a similar concept with re-forestation as they involve planting of trees. References Graciela Chichilnisky and Geoffrey Hill (2000). Environmental markets: Equity and efficiency, Columbia University Press. Sabban property investments launches second phase of carbon offset initiatives in China (2008). http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/UAE/220983, Retrieved on November 2, 2009. UN is wasting billions on “Carbon offsets” Retrieved from http://sweetness-light.com/archive/shocker-un-wastes-billions-on-global-warming, Retrieved on November 2, 2009. Business Environmental Leadership Council (BELC). (2009). http://www.pewclimate.org/companies_leading_the_way_belc, Retrieved on November 2, 2009. Business Environmental Leadership Council (BELC) Member companies, http://www.pewclimate.org/companies_leading_the_way_belc/company_profiles/, Retrieved on November 2, 2009. Pollan Michael (1997). Second Nature, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. Miller Debra (2009). Carbon Offsets, Gale Group. Victor, David (2008). The collapse of the Kyoto Protocol and the struggle to slow global warming, Princeton University, Princeton. William F. Laurance (2007), A New Initiative to Use Carbon Trading for Tropical Forest Conservation] Biotropica 39 (1), 20–24 Dear Client The programs are the there under the sub topic programs in UAE The US Carbon offset organizations are under the BELC organization and has identified four of them. All this is indicated. Have added the offset companies in UK NB they happen to be the same operating in Europe. Read More