As of now, IFOAM can call its head office a CO2e neutral facility. Soil & More International B.V calculated the carbon footprint of IFOAM’s office, and subsequently neutralized the identified emissions through sponsoring the required carbon credits. A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by a particular entity or activity (such as an organization, an event, or a product’s life cycle).
IFOAM, as any organization, conducts various activities that result in CO2e emissions (e.g. car driving, land and air travel, energy consumption). These greenhouse gas emissions end up in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. For IFOAM’s carbon footprint, sources of such greenhouse gas emissions were identified, analyzed, and summed up to one total carbon footprint of the company. On top, a 10% uncertainty buffer was added.
IFOAM’s carbon footprint was carried out according to Soil & More’s methodology, which is based on the guidelines of the WRI/WBCSD Greenhouse Gas Protocol, ISO 14044/64, PAS2050 and TÜV-Nord’s climate Neutral Company Standard. IFOAM’s emissions were neutralized through Soil & More carbon credits (1 c.c. = reduction of 1 ton of CO2e). Soil&More’s carbon credits are UNFCCC TÜV-Nord verified and exclusively come from Soil & More composting projects in developing countries implementing highest sustainability standards. Soil & More’s compost is produced using unwanted biomass and manures which, if not used for composting, would mostly be land filled and left to rot anaerobically, thus emitting methane. Through Soil & More’s innovative composting technology, these methane emissions are avoided.
Pending on the local circumstances and common practice waste management, ½ to 1 ton of CO2e can be avoided per ton of compost produced.
IFOAM’s, as well as Soil & More’s ultimate goal is to promote, support and implement true professional organic farming practices in order to secure sustainable food security. IFOAM and Soil & More have decided to jointly promote carbon and water footprinting, as well as emission reduction and adaptation measures such as composting amongst all IFOAM members. In times where carbon footprinting might be obligatorily required at retail level and preference is given to low emission products, the organic movement should capitalize on its competitive environmental advantage. Already in the near future, organic products might be cheaper if the price calculation of non-organic products takes into consideration formerly externalized costs.
Soil & More’s footprinting services will be offered to all IFOAM members at a reduced rate.
For more information, please feel free to contact Soil & More directly at info@soilandmore.com or +31 880 079 500.
IFOAM’s, as well as Soil & More’s ultimate goal is to promote, support and implement true professional organic farming practices in order to secure sustainable food security. IFOAM and Soil & More have decided to jointly promote carbon and water footprinting, as well as emission reduction and adaptation measures such as composting amongst all IFOAM members. In times where carbon footprinting might be obligatorily required at retail level and preference is given to low emission products, the organic movement should capitalize on its competitive environmental advantage. Already in the near future, organic products might be cheaper if the price calculation of non-organic products takes into consideration formerly externalized costs.
Soil & More’s footprinting services will be offered to all IFOAM members at a reduced rate.
For more information, please feel free to contact Soil & More directly at info@soilandmore.com or +31 880 079 500.