Carbon compensation used to be a complicated process which required complex and expensive Life Cycle Analysis calculations. Recently a new initiative has been launched called CO₂ Correct that will take care of this process and make carbon compensation accessible to anyone in the fruit and vegetable industry. Also it turns out to be surprisingly affordable.
The process is quite simple. Organisations that are looking to do something about their carbon footprint can become a member of CO₂ Correct. The new member fills in a short excel with some information on the products that they would like to compensate. CO₂ Correct will calculate your carbon compensation within days and also quote you a compensation price per kilogram. The fruit or vegetable can then be sold as carbon compensated under the CO₂ Correct label or a private label. Each quarter sales figures are shared with CO₂ Correct and the company will send you an invoice for carbon correcting your environmental impact. The costs for compensation are just a few cents per kilogram depending on the country of origin and the final destination.
Sustainability is mandatory
Global warming has increasingly affected the fruit and vegetable industry over the years. Drought and excessive rainfall has occurred more and more often and this needs to be turned around. Also more and more retailers are looking to improve the sustainability of the sector by demanding suppliers to act now. Reduction of our carbon footprint is an important step to realise this. Everything that impacts the environment like the use of any type of the earth resources can be related to a certain CO₂ impact. This makes CO₂ compensation a very effective step into a more sustainable future.
Network of sustainable knowledge
Joining the CO₂ Correct network brings you into contact with organisations that are all looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Within the network, members will be supported to develop a sustainable strategie and members will share knowledge that can benefit others into reducing the environmental impact.
Transparency is key
Starting an initiative like this requires complete transparency according to CO₂ Correct founder Stephan Schneider. “I want CO₂ Correct to be an open organisation which offers complete transparency on the revenues, expenses and the investments made into additional climate reduction projects. For this we are working closely with partners in regards to reduction projects, Life Cycle Analysis and of course a good financial accountant that will check and approve our annual report. All will be publicised on our website.”
Fairtrade climate reduction projects
Carbon correction will take place by supporting climate reduction projects from our partner FairClimateFund. These climate projects reduce CO₂ emissions and deforestation and improve the living conditions for people in developing countries. The projects are Fairtrade certified and generate Gold Standard/Fairtrade Carbon Credits. More information about this can be found on the website co2correct.com.
