Partners to protect the earth

OUR COMPENSATION PROJECTS

The GreenSeat compensation projects can be split into two different groups. One group contains forestry projects. Plants and trees that grow take CO2 out of the atmosphere and break that up into carbon (C) and oxygen (O2). The carbon is the tissue of trees and plants and the oxygen is what we breathe! The other group contains renewable energy projects that prevent CO2 being released into the atmosphere. Both type of projects generate high quality CO2 credits (VER’s) which are used to balance out your emissions.

Forestry projects

Our forestry partner Face selects projects on the basis of strict ecological, social and financial criteria. This means that our projects not only contribute in CO2 sequestration but also support local economies and provide jobs for local communities. Moreover, the Face forests are guaranteed for 99 years (the legal term for indefinitely) and are protected and managed by local people providing jobs for many years to come.

The Face Foundation has planted and repaired more than 55.000 hectares (110.000 soccer pitches!) of forest in cooperation with organisations in Malaysia, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, and Uganda.

Renewable energy projects

Our energy projects can be split into two types of projects -  renewable energy projects and energy saving projects. Both types help to prevent CO2 being released into the atmosphere and generate high quality CO2 credits (VER’s). The use of energy efficient light bulbs for example leads to a reduction in energy usage. Polluting electricity generation systems, such as diesel or kerosene can be replaced by solar home systems and thus directly decreasing CO2 emissions in the atmosphere.

PROJECTS

Te Apiti wind farm

The Te Apiti wind farm is located on the Northern island of New Zealand, not far from the city of Palmerston North. Te Apiti has 55 turbines with a total capacity of 90MW. This is enough renewable energy to power 45,000 average-sized New Zealand homes for one year! Te Apiti is one of the first projects to have been validated by the Gold Standard, which makes it a great addition to the GreenSeat project portfolio.

Forestry project in Uganda

Uganda lies in the center of Africa and is surrounded by the countries of Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Congo and Rwanda. The country has numerous large lakes and rivers such as the White Nile that flows out of lake Victoria.
The country has beautiful forests and wildlife but as a result of political instability in the 1970s and 1980’s various ethnic groups sought refuge in forest reserves resulting in the degradation and disappearance of large areas of forest. GreenSeat is involved in a projects to repair these forest. The planting is done in close cooperation with the local population.


Energy efficient lighting in Jamaica

Compact fluorescent light bulbs use one quarter of the electricity of traditional incandescent bulbs and last ten times longer. This is an essential contribution on an island faced with insufficient electricity generating capacity and a heavy reliance on oil-fired power stations. Oil purchases see precious hard currency leave the country and recent price rises have seen the cost of electricity soar by almost 75 percent between 2002 and 2006. Through the sale of carbon offset credits the project is able to offer the bulbs at discount prices.

Forestry project in Ecuador

Ecuador is located in the middle of the Andes mountains in South America. As a result of deforestation in many areas the topsoil has been eroded away making these areas unsuitable for agriculture and even livestock. Together with the Ecuadorian government this problem is now being addressed with the planting and protection of new forests with native species of plants and trees. .

Solar PV Systems

In rural areas of third world countries the population does not have access to any type of  electricity or makes use of highly unreliable and polluting electricity generation systems, such as diesel, kerosene and wood. Through the implementation of photovoltaic systems access to electricity is provided for, to be used for lighting, refrigerating, water pumping and irrigation needs. In several countries PV businesses has been set up resulting in the  implementation of over 10.000 solar systems.

Biomass efficiency in Brazil

Biodragão’s biomass burners create heat by combusting particles of sawdust, cuttings and other waste materials such as coffee, rice husks and bagasse. The heat created by the burners can be incorporated into almost any industrial application where heat is required. Because the burners are compact, simple to handle and economic, they are often used in boilers, laundromats, industrial kitchens and grain/mineral drying plants.

Forestry project in Sabah, Malaysia

Infapro (Innoprise Face Project) is engaged in the rehabilitation of tropical rainforest that has been severely damaged by felling in the past. The remnant vegetation suffers from climbers and creepers impeding forest regrowth. The project area is situated in a 1 million ha concession in the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo.

Biomass gasification in Cambodia

In Cambodia electricity is normally generated using diesel, resulting in high carbon emissions, a high price and poor quality. To solve these problems a local non governmental organisation  SME provides small and medium sized enterprises in rural provinces and regions
of Cambodia with business development services, for instance knowledge and infrastructure to implement biomass gasification systems. These systems use biomass, such as rice husks to generate power and can reduce diesel use up to 70%. With carbon funding SME is enabled to implement more biomass gasification systems in small and medium sized enterprises.

Forestry project in the Czech Republic

In close collaboration with the Krkonoše National Park and the Šumava National Park the Face Foundation has recreated a healthy and natural forest area. Both parks are in the northern part of the Czech Republic, close to the Polish and former East German Border.

Forestry projects in the Netherlands

Most of the projects in the Netherlands are located in the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe. Farmland is being converted into sustainable forests primarily for recreational use. Moreover, many of these projects link other natural areas thus creating larger spaces where wildlife can move around freely.  An example is the Gasseltenijveenschemond forest that links the forests on the Hondsrug and around Stadskanaal.

Solar water heating in Brazil

Solar water heating systems transfer solar energy into water heating power, resulting in the availability of permanent hot water for domestic use. The use of solar energy replaces fossil
fuels to heat water and provides access to hot water to those communities who had no hot water before.

Fuel substitution wood to natural gas in Bolivia

Brick-making furnaces use a mixture of scrap wood, sawdust and used lubrication oil as to fire. The project supported the extension of the grid gas pipeline, the installation of a secondary distribution grid and individual connections for each of the members.

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