Reduction
Currently carbon reduction is voluntary in Ontario.
Most likely there will soon come a time that carbon reduction will be mandatory similar to many other jurisdictions.
Many companies are creating targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by a certain date.
Sustainability plans are becoming more aggressive as companies realize the benefit of these goals.
Not only will greenhouse gas reductions help the environment, carbon reduction goals show customers and other stakeholders that they are environmentally responsible.
Carbon Offsets
Carbon offsets (and RECs) can be used to achieve sustainability goals and reduce a company’s carbon footprint. RECs are a subset of carbon offsets.
Carbon offsets
Offsets can be used to negate or “offset” an organizations scope 1, 2 or 3 emissions.
Currently participating in the carbon market is voluntary in Ontario. Some organizations voluntarily commit to be carbon neutral or ‘net-zero’ by a certain year. This means they commit to reduce their emissions through energy efficiency and reduction, and compensate for any remaining emissions with carbon offsets or RECs.
Carbon Offsets
Typically carbon offsets are used as the ‘last mile’ for a company to ‘offset’ its use of carbon based fuels such as natural gas, diesel, and propane.
Carbon Offsets
Certified Emissions Reductions registered under Canadian Standards Association
RECs
Renewably sourced electricity Green-e certified by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions
A renewable energy credit represents the environmental attributes of renewable electricity (measured in Megawatt hours MWh). Energy users that pair system-mix electricity with RECs can claim to be using renewable energy.
