Welcome to a carbon neutral site
At Decarb, we practice what we preach, we made a commitment to be a carbon-neutral company and we started with a carbon neutral site.
By PAUL
We understand that climate change is a global issue and that we need to act now. Our fight is based on three pillars: first, to keep track of all emissions and understand deeply how every action has an impact; second, to be the most efficient we can and to do more with less, this means reducing our carbon footprint to a maximum; and third, to offset carbon for what we cannot reduce. It is important to note that we see carbon offsets as a transition to a long term sustainable solution.
Scientists tell us that the danger is real and that action is much needed. But not only governments need to react. Individuals, communities, and the private sector must take steps towards a zero-carbon system. We are all responsible.
This is how we do it.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” Robert Swan
PART I – Measure
We have developed tools to track emissions, both for individuals and for companies because it is impossible to improve if you do not know your numbers.
We use the industry guidance GH Protocol to account for the carbon emissions of a corporation. At Decarb, we started with rough estimates to account for all emissions sources: direct, indirect from the energy purchased, and for the indirect emissions from the value chain. We went a step further, and we also covered the emissions from our clients.
This accountability has a threefold impact. First, it allows us to understand where the emissions come from; second, we can detect which actions would have the highest impact on greenhouse gas reductions; and third, we firmly believe this shift in mentality will drive change in the industry. We will have a larger impact than by only offsetting our emissions.
PART II – Reduce
As a result of the measurements, we know where to focus our efforts to have the highest impact, we follow the Pareto rule. Our principal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the electricity we use to run our servers; (for our operations represent the majority of our total carbon footprint.
Avoiding carbon emissions will significantly reduce operational costs and therefore the need for offsets. Achieving a more efficient and less energy-intensive infrastructure is key to reduce the carbon emissions associated with the utility generation mix where we operate.
For example, we worked on having the most efficient webpage possible by reducing the size of our images. All this, without compromising the quality nor the usability of our product. Sustainable does not mean cheap or uncomfortable.
We will continue improving our processes and looking for new solutions.
PART III – Carbon offset
And finally, given that our operations still generate some greenhouse gas emissions, both directly and indirectly we purchase carbon offsets to have a positive impact. We remove the double carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than we generate.
For example, indirect greenhouse gas emissions are caused by our clients when they access our site, i.e. the electricity their device consumes, we take the Canadian worst-case scenario, that is the province of Alberta (790 gCO2/kWh) and we offset all unique visits monthly.
We are building a portfolio of more than 10 offset projects, we focus on two main areas. Firstly, investing in renewable energy generation (decarbonizing electricity generation will be critical if we want to achieve the goals set by the IPCC). And secondly, financing tree plantation, a tree can absorb 21kg (48lbs) of CO2 per year and can sequester 1 ton of CO2 by the time it reaches 40 years old. From a hydropower plant in India to a photovoltaic solar plant in Peru and planting trees in Costa Rica.
What's next?
Over the last six months, we have developed tools that enabled hundreds of clients to reduce their carbon emissions. We are proving that society is becoming increasingly conscious, and there is a shift in daily actions to fight climate change. Above all, not only people are manifesting and requesting Change to world leaders but they are also acting and becoming leaders themselves. Sustain action is imperative to achieve our long-term goal of a sustainable world, and Decarb is here to help.
In short, we still have a lot to do, but we know we are in the right direction. Now, back to the fight.