We use carbon offsets as the last resort in our climate change strategy, after reducing our total energy use (see benign emissions) and introducing renewable energy.

How our Cool Carpet® carbon offsetting works
Through Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) we measure the carbon footprint of every one of our products. The total amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted throughout the life of a 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 cancel out these emissions.
The result is a range of carbon neutral carpet tiles.

Our Cool Carpet® programme is verified by SGS, a world leading company in the fields of inspection, verification, testing and certification. SGS assess how we calculate the GHG emissions throughout the full life cycle of the carpet tile. They also confirm that these emissions are off-set through verified emission reduction credits.

The carbon offset projects we support
Each project we support is certified according to the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). This assures that the carbon credits we buy 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 we support include:
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 also earn you credits with green building rating schemes, such as LEED.

For more information on Interface commercial flooring, please call 08705 30 40 30 or email us