BACKGROUND: Voluntary emission offsets increasing
Primula making a virtue of an expected necessity
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By Jukka Perttu
Finland has set as its goal the 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The bread manufacturer Primula decided to cut or offset its emissions by 100% at one go.
The remaining emissions will be compensated for by buying voluntary carbon credits from a wind-powered plant.
At Nordic Offset, CEO Staffan Söderholm, who procured the emission offsets for Primula, sees the company as a pioneer in Finland.
The rights acquired by Primula are in accordance with the Gold Standard carbon credit system. This means that the Turkish wind power project needs to have a positive social impact as well. According to the rules, the project needs to improve the quality of life in the area in the form of new jobs, for instance.
Söderholm says that voluntary carbon offset systems are increasing in Finland. His observation is echoed by Tomas Otterström, deputy CEO of GreenStream, which also brokers carbon credits.
GreenStream is Finland’s largest procurer of emission credits. It also administers foundations dedicated to emissions trading and renewable energy, and advises companies in climate matters.
“People today neutralise their air travel. Organisers of seminars and meetings, and some companies operating on the consumer market do the same.”
“The most enthusiastic procurers of voluntary emission rights include the British, Swedes, Germans, and Americans. Finns are somewhat behind.”
“Hundreds of millions of euros are spent each year on voluntary emission offsets. Finland’s share is probably less than a million.”
Earlier in the year, the recession caused a decline in sales of offsets. Otterström nevertheless believes that the sale of voluntary emission offsets will grow in the coming years.
Typical ways to neutralise greenhouse gas emissions is to contribute to renewable energy or energy efficiency projects in Europe or the developing countries.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 25.10.2009
More on this subject:
 Bakery aims at zero greenhouse gas emissions
Links:
GreenStream Network
Gold Standard carbon credits
JUKKA PERTTU / Helsingin Sanomat
jukka.perttu@hs.fi
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