theLEED » renewable energy http://theleed.com Daily Blogs by LEED-APs for Green Buildings Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:52:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Carbon Neutral is a Credit to Your LEED® Certification http://theleed.com/2009/02/carbon-neutral-is-a-credit-to-your-leed%c2%ae-certification/ http://theleed.com/2009/02/carbon-neutral-is-a-credit-to-your-leed%c2%ae-certification/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:00:42 +0000 Rick Walker http://theleed.com/?p=130 If you’re thinking about having your Austin green building project certified by LEED®, it always helps to know the ins and outs of that certification. What can you do to get your project LEED® certified? What type of products can you use? One type is called “climate neutral” products, and the use of them can earn you an “Innovation in Design” point.

Climate Neutral Products
Climate neutral products and materials produce zero net greenhouse gases throughout their entire life cycle. The total environmental impact of the product is calculated by the manufacturer, who then obtains carbon emission reduction credits. These credits can be obtained by green power offset purchases or carbon sequestration projects, among others.

The product’s emission calculations include every part of its life, from extraction, processing and manufacture to the use it was intended for. Any offsets purchased for climate neutral purposes have to equal or exceed the amount of emissions the product produces. In addition, a recognized third party will need to certify them.

Climate neutral products range from clothing and sports events to cars and more. For instance, in 2005, a vehicle time-share company announced emission offsets for their vehicles with the help of a certified emission calculation company. The certified company calculates vehicle emissions, and then offsets them using Green-e renewable energy certificates, among others.

Many places sell climate neutral products, and just as many sell carbon offsets. Some excellent resources for carbon offsets, climate neutral products and green tags can be found at:

• Carbonfund
• Sustainable Travel International
• Innovation Exchange
• Carbon Offsets Daily

Everything you do in daily life creates carbon emissions. You almost can’t get away from them. However, purchasing climate neutral products, green tags and carbon offsets can set you well on the way to helping the environment, as well as your green building project.

Links:
Green-e
Carbonfund
Sustainable Travel International
Innovation Exchange
Carbon Offsets Daily

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