Use of funds

Measurable climate protection – What does CO₂ compensation mean?

CO₂ compensation only has an impact when compensation payments are actually directed straight to climate protection projects. Co2 Compensate.org guarantees that at least 80 percent of compensation payments will be used directly in climate protection projects. The remaining maximum 20 percent is needed to cover administration and internal costs.

 

Only projects that meet the globally recognized, highest standards can successfully help protect the climate. So Co2compensate.org draws on the strictest, most independent quality standards (CDM, Gold Standard, and Plan Vivo) when selecting and structuring its own climate protection projects. Co2compensate.org works closely with experienced and independent partners in the respective countries to implement climate protection projects. These local partners make sure that local projects are realized professionally, and they also regularly review the projects’ impact. In addition, climate protection projects undergo an annual review by another independent, external body.

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High-quality climate protection projects – What projects does Co2compensate.org  support?

Co2compensate.org supports projects that use renewable energies, realize energy efficiency measures, and cut methane emissions, as well as reforestation and new forest initiatives that reduce the pressure on forests and biodiversity «hot spots». Climate protection projects result in lower CO₂ emissions whilst contributing significantly to sustainable development in the region.

 

Projects in developing and emerging countries are CER and VER projects. These are reviewed by one body recognized by the United Nations and other independent bodies. All energy-related climate protection projects are tested against Gold Standard criteria. Since Co2compensate.org believes that fulfilling the specifications as per this standard is only the minimum requirement, the reviews also take into account other, mainly social, factors. VER forestry projects comply with Plan Vivo guidelines, the most well-known and proficient standards in this field, which are supplemented by our own strict criteria.

 

Process – What happens to the money?

Co2compensate.org supports climate protection projects on a service-specific basis. Only emissions reductions that have actually been realized and can be proven over a longer contract term of 7 to 14 years are accounted for in energy projects. Compensation payments are normally paid out to the supported projects once reductions are realized. The actual contribution amount depends on the volume of climate-impacting emissions saved. Forestry projects are slightly different in that their timelines naturally stretch over a longer span of 30 to 50 years.

 

Co2compensate.org guarantees its customers that emission reductions achieved (= climate donations) through energy projects will be realised at the latest within two years in climate protection projects and will be retired after a maximum of three years. Carbon storage in forests occurs within 10 to 30 years, depending on the project region and tree species. There are comprehensive, special mechanisms in place to monitor the reductions achieved in forestry.

 

Costs – How much does a tonne of CO₂ cost?

The compensation mechanism enables us to finance the additional costs that (inevitably) arise from the use of renewable sources of energy in place of fossil fuels. It would be impossible to effectively realise projects without covering these additional costs. The price depends on the size of the project, the technology used and the country where the project is running. offers the option to compensate in two different project portfolios with average prices or in selected specific projects: 

 

International projects: Offsetting contributions go into Co2compensate.orgs climate protection projects in developing and newly industrializing countries. The projects fulfill the highest standards (CDM, Gold Standard, Plan Vivo) and contribute to the UN's SDGs. Co2compensate.org projects not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also contribute to the social, ecological, and economic development of the region. 

Swedish projects: The emissions will be reduced by at least a half in Swedish climate protection projects (FOEN or VER standard), with the remaining proportion in climate protection projects in developing and newly industrializing countries. 

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Reforestation in Nicaragua: Donations support a reforestation project in Nicaragua, the second-poorest country in the western hemisphere. Small-scale farming families are reforesting unused sections of their land with native species. The program combines practical nature conservation with the creation of new income sources for local families.

For corporate customers with larger compensation volumes,we offer high-​end projects specifically tailored to the customer’s needs. These customers can also work with the foundation to develop a climate protection project.

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