CP Offsets
Carbon Offsets are programs that have been developed to decrease carbon dioxide emissions or increase the quantity of carbon dioxide sequestered in natural ecosystems. CP Holdings invests primarily in carbon sequestration projects.
Terrestrial carbon sequestration is defined as either the net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere or the prevention of CO2 net emissions from the terrestrial ecosystems into the atmosphere. Enhancing the natural processes that remove CO2 from the atmosphere is thought to be one of the most cost-effective means of reducing atmospheric levels of CO2 according to the U.S. Department of Energy. There are two fundamental approaches to sequestering carbon in terrestrial ecosystems:
- protection of ecosystems that store carbon so that carbon stores can be maintained or increased.
- manipulation of ecosystems to increase carbon sequestration beyond current conditions.
CP Offsets are sold per metric ton. You can use the "My Footprint" section of the website to offset your annual footprint, or you can purchase credits a la carte here for yourself or as a present for friends/family. Your dollars are used to sponsor one or more of the following types of carbon sequestration projects.
- Forest lands. The focus includes below-ground carbon and long-term management and utilization of standing stocks,understory, ground cover,and litter.
- Agricultural lands. The focus includes crop lands, grasslands, and range lands,with emphasis on increasing long-lived soil carbon.
- Biomass croplands. As a complement to ongoing efforts related to biofuels,the focus is on long-term increases in soil carbon and value-added organic products.
- Deserts and degraded lands. Restoration of degraded lands offers significant benefits and carbon sequestration potential in both below-and above-ground systems.
- Boreal wetlands and peatlands. The focus includes management of soil carbon pools and perhaps limited conversion to forest or grassland vegetation where ecologically acceptable.
