Frequently Asked Questions

What does carbon-neutral mean?

The term carbon-neutral has been around for at least a decade, but has recently entered the Oxford dictionary. It can refer to zero emissions of greenhouse gas, but it more likely refers to an entity or individual which has its’ CO2 emissions and then purchased sufficient carbon offsets to balance the impact of their own carbon footprint. A carbon-neutral company is taking responsibility for its own emissions by balancing out its impact on the planet.

What are carbon-offsets?

An offset is defined as something that counterbalances; a compensating equivalent.  Carbon offsets, also known as CO2 offsets are created by projects which reduce, absorb or prevent greenhouse gas from going into the atmosphere.  A carbon offset balances the impact of unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions which you produce.  A carbon offset is measured in tons of greenhouse gas. Each dollar contributed to the project reduces greenhouse gas in a measurable way, through cost-effective programs. Projects are evaluated by both quality standards and by the cost per ton of greenhouse gas reduced. By paying money to support these projects which reduce, absorb, or prevent greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere, you are making a difference for the planet.

Is this the same as carbon trading?

Project-based carbon offsets are distinct from the trading that takes place in markets such as the Chicago Climate Exchange. In project-based offsets, specific projects are designed and evaluated for their carbon offset potential. Rigorous standards can be followed including the standards that NetGreen is currently following.

Shouldn’t companies and individuals place more emphasis on reducing their emissions than purchasing offsets?

Companies and individuals should do everything within their power to reduce greenhouse gas. Purchasing offsets is a way to reduce the remaining greenhouse gas emissions which companies or individuals cannot avoid.

What is my carbon footprint and how do I know if your calculator determines the correct footprint?

Your carbon footprint is the CO2 which is emitted through your current lifestyle. In most cases, an individual’s main sources of emissions are your house, your car, and your air travel. Our calculator allows you to determine what the emissions are from those sources. The calculator on our website follow the standards of the World Resources Institute, a reputable source for calculating greenhouse gas emissions.

How do I know my money makes a difference?

NetGreen projects are projects which believe to be truly additional. This ensures that your money makes a difference in reducing greenhouse gas. The criteria of additionality ensures that projects which are funded are projects A project that is truly additional it needs to be beyond “business as usual” and would not have happened without your support. Projects that we consider to have additionality face  barriers to  their implementation. They are projects which are not required by current legislation.

How do you know that NetGreen offsets are quality offsets?

NetGreen offsets follow the Voluntary Carbon Standard, the Voluntary Gold Standard, or  rigorous industry standards.   NetGreen offsets are offsets which have been recommended by independent review by experts in the industry. Carbon offsets sold by NetGreen follow the standard of additionality, as described above. Carbon offsets sold by NetGreen do not allow double-counting, there is a rigorous system in place to ensure that you are the only one paying for the ton of greenhouse gas which is reduced. All NetGreen-funded projects are monitored and verified by third party experts. NetGreen projects require a measurement of baseline greenhouse gas emissions and the benefit quantification with the project implementation.  Also, NetGreen gives priority to projects which result in a permanent reduction of greenhouse gas.

How much money goes to the projects?

NetGreen is a for profit company and like most other for profit companies we don’t release our financial statements. Our project funding makes projects economically viable which otherwise would not be. The answer to “how much money goes to the projects” is “enough to get them financed and built”.

Which projects do we fund?

The projects we currently fund are wind projects and agricultural methane projects. You can see the project description page for more information.

How do those projects reduce greenhouse gas?

The wind projects build wind turbines which generate electricity. This prevents fossil fuels  from being burned for electricity. Burning fossil fuels  for electricity is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the country. The agricultural methane projects,  on family dairy farms cause reductions in multiple areas. Methane gas is collected from the waste stored in lagoons. The methane gas is collected and kept out of the environment causing a reduction.  The methane gas that is collected is used to create electricity for the farm allowing them to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. The excess power that is generated is placed into the larger electricity grid which causes the power providers to back off on their demand for fossil fuel generated power.

Why don’t you have projects in Washington State?

The projects available in Washington State do not currently meet the standards which NetGreen has developed for quality. We are constantly searching for new projects, and will offer projects in Washington State when we are able to find projects which meet our standards.

Is NetGreen a non-profit?

NetGreen is a corporation. To reduce the millions of tons of greenhouse gas required to balance our impact on the planet, we need to attract capital investment to the solutions. We need profit as a motive for action. We considered running NetGreen as a non-profit and determined that we cannot achieve our goal of the world being carbon-neutral through a non-profit organization.

Is this tax-deductible?

Offsets are not tax-deductible. However the money donated to carbon offsets will probably not make much difference on your tax return.