Offsetters and VANOC are providing opportunities for individuals to contribute to a carbon neutral 2010 Winter Games.
Vancouver,BC January 20, 2010 - The Official Supplier of Carbon Offsets for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games has released a souvenir pin that will be included with the purchase of one tonne of carbon offsets from the 2010 Legacy Portfolio of high quality carbon credits assembled specifically for the 2010 Winter Games.
“We have a limited number of Offsetters pins for those people who are making an environmental commitment to the 2010 Winter Games by buying one tonne of carbon offsets,” said James Tansey, CEO and co-founder of Offsetters. “This is just one of the ways we are hoping to engage spectators to help achieve the aspirational goal of a carbon neutral Games.”
This is the first time that an Olympic Games Organizing Committee will be carbon neutral for the entire organizing period dating back from the bid process through to the end of the Games. The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), together with Offsetters is working to offset the estimated 118,000 tonnes of direct carbon emissions from the Games. Offsetters and VANOC are also working together to encourage spectators, guests, sponsors and partners to offset the estimated 150,000 tonnes of “indirect” carbon emissions generated by attending the Games.
Spectators, visitors and local residents can help to offset the carbon footprint of the Games in several ways, including using Offsetters’ 2010 Travel and Accommodation Carbon Calculator to calculate and offset their Games-related carbon footprint or by simply purchasing one tonne of carbon offsets from the 2010 Legacy Portfolio for $25 and includes an Offsetters 2010 collector’s pin. Only a limited quantity of these commemorative pins have been produced.
“Working with Offsetters, we have begun to raise awareness about the opportunities available to Games spectators and viewing audiences to help offset the indirect emissions for the 2010 Winter Games,” said Linda Coady, Vice President Sustainability at VANOC. “Every tonne of indirect carbon emissions that is offset by individuals watching our Games will send a message about what sport can contribute to the fight against climate change and the transition to a more sustainable future.”
For more information about offsetting the Games, to purchase carbon offsets and the Offsetters pin or to view the carbon calculator visit http://www.offsetters.ca.
About Offsetters:
As Canada’s first and leading carbon management provider, Offsetters helps individuals and companies understand, reduce, track and offset their climate impact – in that order. Headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Offsetters is the first ever Official Supplier of Carbon Offsets to an Olympic Games and will be providing the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) with carbon credits sourced from clean technologies developed in BC’s Lower Mainland. In 2009, Offsetters was also selected by the Pacific Carbon Trust as the largest initial supplier of carbon offsets to the BC Crown Corporation. For more information go to www.offsetters.ca
About VANOC:
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the XX Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.
Melanie Wong, Offsetters, (604) 699-2652 or melanie@offsetters.ca.