CDM projects are controlled by the Kyoto Protocol. They take place in
developing countries and are registered with the United Nations (UNFCCC). They
generate Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs). Such certificates can also be
used for compensation on a voluntary and individual basis.
Find out more about the process of myclimate CDM projets here.
Planetair / myclimate's VER projects are smaller projects. While still
following the guidelines of the CDM, they are generally not registered with the
United Nations for financial reasons. Projects that reduce less than 5,000 tons
generally do not justify the high transaction costs associated with UN
registration. myclimate carries out projects that fall below this limit as VER
projects, and seeks Gold Standard accreditation for them. They allow myclimate
to finance even small projects in rural and economically disadvantaged regions
that are too small for CDM registration. VER projects receive VER certificates,
and can be used exclusively for voluntary greenhouse gas compensations. Just as
CDM projects, myclimate VERs are calculated following CDM regulations, and are
verified through CDM-accredited certification institutions such as SGS , TÜV ,
DNV etc.
Planetair and myclimate do not invest in tree-planting. Our aim is to reduce emissions, which requires less
burning of fossil fuels and more power generation through renewable energy
source. While trees capture or
sequester CO2 temporarily, they do not reduce the generation of
emissions per se.
In addition, the carbon uptake of trees depends on a number of factors, including the tree’s age, their rate of growth, and local climate and soil conditions. Additionally, the carbon uptake may vary as temperatures and CO2 concentrations change with global warming. While we do not want to discredit all tree-planting projects, Planetair believes that investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects is a more reliable way of moving us towards a low-carbon economy.
myclimate’s projects are all verified by independent auditors from
accredited inspection, verification, testing and certification companies such
as SGS , TÜV and DNV, or by a board of experts from Swiss
universities. Moreover, Planetair maintains a transparent registry of its
transactions, is third party audited annually and produces an annual report so
that you can verify our actions.
We use internationally accepted methodologies and emission factors for
all of our GHG emissions calculations. The data sources include the Greenhouse
Gas Protocol (the most widely used accounting tool for GHG emissions, developed
by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable
Development), and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC).
