New fuel reduction and carbon offset program for transportation and resource industries

The Central Interior Logging Association is pleased today to announce the launch of the Carbon Offset Aggregation Cooperative of British Columbia, and its carbon offset and fuel reduction program for the transportation and resource industries. The Carbon Offset Aggregation Cooperative of British Columbia provides opportunity to transportation and resource sector truck
and equipment owners to reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs through reduction in diesel consumption.  The Co-op provides a full cycle program of technology installation, training, monitoring, reporting and marketing.

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Shirley Bond welcomes the announcement. "Just a year ago we met with MaryAnne and she outlined the CILA vision to create a carbon offset program for the transportation sector and it is a significant accomplishment to reach this point today" said Shirley Bond, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.  "We know that in order to make a difference in greenhouse gas emissions we need to see initiatives in the transportation sector and I am proud to see this innovative approach developed here in Northern British Columbia."

The Co-op has signed a 5 year agreement with Canada¹s leading carbon management solutions provider, Offsetters, to broker the sales of carbon offsets created through the program, as well as assist the Co-op with technical support and regulatory requirements. "Transportation is the largest source of emissions in the province of British Columbia. Our partnership with the Carbon Offset Aggregation Cooperative has the potential to make a sizeable difference to reduce the emissions impact of the trucking and logging industry," says James Tansey, CEO of Offsetters. ³We are excited to launch this project with the Co-op as it demonstrates that a shift to a low carbon economy can be beneficial to the environment and provide cost saving opportunities at the same time.

The carbon offsets produced through the Co-op program that meet BC regulatory requirements will be offered for sale to Pacific Carbon Trust, a Crown corporation established to help its clients meet their carbon reduction goals and support the growth of B.C.'s low-carbon economy. "While transportation is the largest single source of BC¹s overall greenhouse gas emissions, it is also one of the more challenging to address because it is such a highly fragmented sector," says Pacific Carbon Trust CEO Scott MacDonald. "The Carbon Offset Aggregation Cooperative has shown tremendous innovation by taking incremental reductions from numerous sources and transforming them into a viable project concept. We look forward to seeing this program move forward."

Contacts
George Stedeford
MaryAnne Arcand
CEO, Carbon Offset Cooperative of British Columbia
Chair
(250)617-9736
(250)612-7086