Carbon offset policy

Brighter Planet is committed to fighting climate change by investing in community-based projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Brighter Planet's offset policy gives its members confidence that they are making a real, permanent difference. Only projects that meet rigorous standards and are unanimously approved by the Project selection committee are added to the Brighter Planet project portfolio.

Offsets purchased by Brighter Planet satisfy the following requirements ('RATE'):

• Real
• Additional
• Transparent
• Environmental and Social Value Added

Each of these requirements are treated in depth below.

Real

Real offsets are permanent emissions reductions that are properly quantified, audited, and retired. Brighter Planet offsets cannot be invalidated by future events, are tracked and accounted for, and are not double-sold or double-counted.

Additional

A project that is additional would not have been built were it not for the prospect of receiving proceeds from the sale of offsets. Brighter Planet will not invest in projects that would have occurred anyway, as they produce no extra reduction in emissions and therefore do not produce bona fide carbon offsets.

Transparent

Complete transparency throughout the offset lifecycle is essential, given the inherent intangibility of carbon offsets and the absence of regulation in the voluntary market. Brighter Planet's process includes a public comment period for projects under consideration, disclosure of Project Selection Committee decisions, posting of project documents online, and an annual audit of sales and retirements.

Environmental and Social Value Added

Projects with environmental and social value added fight climate change while also helping solve other pressing challenges facing our communities and ecosystems. Brighter Planet invests in community-based climate solutions that also address issues like public health, biodiversity, poverty, and water quality.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding our carbon offset policy, please contact us.

Last changed: January 1, 2009