What is climate change?

The Earth is surrounded by a thin layer of gases. These gases are very important to life as they act rather like a greenhouse and trap radiation that would otherwise escape into space. Without these gases, the Earth would be much colder and would not support life. This is known as the greenhouse effect and it is entirely natural.

One very important greenhouse gas that keeps the earth warm is carbon dioxide (CO2). Scientists can show that the amount of CO2 in the air or atmosphere is related to the world’s climate. For example, when the world is in an Ice Age and is quite cold there is little CO2 in the atmosphere. On the other hand, when the earth warms up again (and the ice melts) there will be more CO2 in the atmosphere.

How do humans affect climate change?

Human society today generates lots of extra CO2 which is released into the atmosphere. We do this by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas to make our energy.

With over 6 billion people on the planet and 60 million people in Britain, just think about how much energy we use to light and heat our homes, to run our TVs, computers, ovens and hoovers, to transport our food and to power our cars, trains and aeroplanes.

The more energy we use, the more CO2 we are adding to the atmosphere. The Earth’s plants and oceans can soak up some of these extra greenhouse gases but not all of them. These extra gases are building up in the atmosphere year upon year and are making global temperatures rise. This is known as climate change.

What will happen with runaway climate change?

In the UK, we are already seeing changes to our climate. 8 of the hottest years on record ever have been in the last 13 years. In the summer of 2003, many people even died from the extreme heat wave that hit Europe.

Around the world, increasing temperatures are already changing our planet. Glaciers and ice caps are melting causing sea level rise and water shortages for people who rely on drinking water from glaciers. Tropical diseases are spreading as the planet heats up. Severe droughts are affecting peoples’ crops and water supplies.

Climate change however, does not just mean that our planet will get hotter. Scientists predict that as the climate changes we will also see more floods, hurricanes and storms. As climate change continues, the world’s poor will be the worst affected as many of them cannot afford to change and adapt. Furthermore, many species will become extinct.

Urgent international action must be taken within the next 10-15 years to avoid unstoppable and catastrophic climate change. In order to achieve this change, it is clear that everyone must act – government, business and consumers – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Emission Statement is helping to achieve this change.

What is a carbon credit?

Carbon credits are like certificates that represent a reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Projects that prevent the generation of greenhouse gases or remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere earn these credits. These credits can then be purchased by other businesses and individuals to "offset" the emissions they generate. One carbon credit is the equivalent to a saving of one metric tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Emission Statement's carbon credits are sourced exclusively from renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. This means that you are accelerating the transition to a low carbon future by investing in technologies that will provide long term solutions to climate change.

How is my money spent?

For every tonne of carbon dioxide offset with Emission Statement, your money is allocated in the following ways:

How does Emissions Statement’s calculator work?

Emission Statement uses the latest DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) approved carbon conversion figures to ensure that our calculator is highly accurate.

For more information on the figures used, please visit: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/envrp/pdf/conversion-factors.pdf

What is Emission Statement’s relationship with our charitable partners – Global Action Plan and Julie’s Bicycle?

Emission Statement provides Global Action Plan and Julie’s Bicycle with £1 for every tonne of carbon dioxide that we offset. This income is used to support their charitable activities. Global Action Plan uses all income from Emission Statement to support its award-winning Action at School initiative.

What do our charitable partners do with our support?

Global Action Plan
The “Action at School” initiative engages students in environmental learning. Engaging younger generations in reducing their impact on climate change is vital in order to tackle climate change both now and in the future. This project helps schools save money and improves their environmental performance. Global Action Plan supports a student volunteer team, helping them measure their school’s energy use; set improvement targets and communicate this effectively. Students come up with imaginative solutions and lead the way in implementing them, gaining skills in decision-making and project management. The initiative is endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Julie’s Bicycle
Julie’s Bicycle was established in order to tackle climate change through the music industry and to develop an action plan to cut emissions across the sector. Julie’s Bicycle will provide grants to the under resourced, smaller part of the UK music industry (including the charitable sectors) to invest in the ‘greening’ of their businesses.

What are Gold Standard credits?

Emission Statement only invests in the highest quality carbon credits that meet the internationally recognised Gold Standard.

The Gold Standard is an independently audited, globally applicable best practice methodology for project development that delivers high quality carbon credits. Only renewable energy and energy efficiency projects with sustainable development benefits are eligible.

The Gold Standard is a non-profit foundation under Swiss Law and funded by public and private donors. The Gold Standard is endorsed by over 50 non-governmental organizations worldwide including WWF, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth