We use offsets as the last resort in our climate change strategy, after reducing our total energy use (see benign emissions) and introducing renewable energy.
Cool Carpet® works as follows:
Through life cycle assessment (LCA) we measure the carbon footprint of each of our products. The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted throughout the full life of the carpet tile – from raw materials, manufacturing, use and maintenance through to disposal at end of life – is calculated, in CO2 equivalents. We then work with partners to purchase verified carbon offsets that neutralise these emissions.
The Cool Carpet® programme is verified by SGS, a world leading company in the fields of inspection, verification, testing and certification. SGS assesses the methodology used for the calculation to determine the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the full life cycle of the carpet tile. They also confirm that the associated emissions are off-set through verified emission reduction credits. More information about the verification process can be found here.
We offset the carbon emissions associated with the full lifecycle of Biosfera I.
Read more about Biosfera I.
About the projects we support
The projects we support are certified according to the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). This assures that the carbon credits we purchase are validated and verified by an accredited third-party, that credits are real (have happened), additional (beyond business-as-usual activities), measurable, permanent, unique (not used more than once to offset emissions), and retired in a public registry.
Examples of the projects in our portfolio can be seen below:
A small scale hydro project in China
A fuel switch programme in Brazil
A reforestation project in Tanzania
A wind farm project in India
Khautauli Bagasse Co-generation, India
Fuel efficient stoves in Cambodia
In addition to helping the fight against climate change, Cool Carpet® can earn you credits with green building rating schemes, such as LEED.
For more information on Interface commercial flooring products, please telephone 080 30589350 or email us.