1. Why are we doing it?
Let’s start with a simple one. Eurostar believes that we all have an obligation to reduce our environmental impact and as a business we believe we have an obligation to act.
We all make some impact on the environment and should work to reduce it. Travelling by Eurostar, as opposed to taking a short-haul flight, is one means of reducing your environmental impact and we can now offer you a carbon neutral journey.
2. What is Carbon Offsetting?
Carbon offsetting refers to the purchase of carbon credits to compensate for an individual’s or company’s production of carbon emissions created through activities such as the consumption of electricity or gas produced by the burning of fossil fuels. The term ‘carbon’ is often used as shorthand for carbon dioxide (CO2). One tonne of carbon is equivalent to 3.67 tonnes of CO2, Each emissions reduction credit purchased is equivalent to one metric tonne of CO2
Eurostar has invested in projects which provide an alternative to other technologies that emit more CO2 and that would not have taken place if financing from the sales of carbon credits had not have been available.
3. What about offsetting other Greenhouse Gases?
All greenhouse gases can be assessed in terms of CO2 equivalents (CO2e) by applying the relevant global warming potential factors. Methane for instance has a global warming potential 23 times greater than carbon dioxide and therefore needs 23 carbon credits to cancel the emissions from every tonne that is released into the atmosphere. In all there are 6 main types of greenhouse gases as a result of human activity and these are covered by the Kyoto Protocol.
4. What is the difference between Voluntary and Certified Emissions Reductions?
Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) are generated by emissions reduction projects registered under the Clean Development Mechanism which was set up under the Kyoto Protocol as a means of meeting emissions caps. These CERs are predominantly meant for the mandatory compliance market although people who have opted to voluntarily reduce their own emissions can also purchase them.
Verified Emission Reductions (VERs) are carbon credits which have been generated for the voluntary market. There are two main types of VER that are of interest to Eurostar, Voluntary Carbon Units (VCU) under the Voluntary Carbon Standard and VERs from the Voluntary Gold Standard (VGS). Both of these standards meet Eurostar’s strict requirements to make sure the emissions reductions are of a credible quality and have been independently verified.
5. Why is the climate changing?
The term climate change refers to the variation in the earth’s temperature and weather patterns, in particular the rise in the average surface temperature. Global warming is largely due to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere as a direct result of human activities particularly the burning of fossil fuels.
There are six main types of greenhouse gases produced by human activity, the most commonly known of which are carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
The other three are tongue twisters: perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.
These gases typically reduce the rate at which heat from the earth escapes back into space. They are so called because they form a barrier which acts in a similar way as the glass of a greenhouse and results in what is commonly known as the greenhouse effect.
6. What is additionality?
Additionality is an important criterion in setting up carbon emission reduction projects. In order to qualify for any one of the carbon standards it is important to prove that the project would not have been able to take place without the funding provided by the sale of carbon credits or that would not have occurred without the projects existence.
7. What is Validation?
Validation refers to the independent assessment of the design of each project prior to implementation. The technologies used in the design of the project and the amount of CO2e saved against a ‘business as usual’ scenario are both criteria which are assessed. This gives assurance as to the quality of the credits generated under the Clean Development Mechanism or any of the voluntary standards that exist. The validation methodologies used are detailed and include information on project type and location, impact assessments, the way they are financed and the technical details of how the project works.
8. What is Verification?
Verification is undertaken by an independent third party with expertise in this field. They assess projects against a number of key criteria to ensure that the projects are really taking place, that they perform as planned to the documentation that was submitted for validation (see point 7) and that the quantification of emission reductions can be verified. This process ensures that the carbon emission reductions claimed are real and have already taken
