User:Zac56txst/Final Article 2

These are my recommendations for revising the article: The Carbon neutrality article sometimes does not utilize a neutral point-of-view (NPOV), and also does not fully analyze things such as reforestation. In my final edits, I will change some of these sections into a more neutral stance, while including analysis.

• Edited "Certification" to a more neutral stance, where it explains that reforestation is not a short term, or even truly effective method to become carbon neutral. Citation is number 1.
• Cleaned up typos.
• Cleaned up/clarified linked that led to external commercial websites rather than accredited external sources.
• Formatting; cleaned up typo under offsetting.
• Added citation under "Offsetting." Citation is number 15.
• Added "Finland" and research on Helsinki's carbon neutrality policies. Citation is number 11.

Copied content from: Carbon neutrality

Certification

Although there is currently no international certification scheme for carbon or climate neutrality, some countries have established national certification schemes. Examples include Norwegian Eco-Lighthouse Program and the Australian government's National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS). In the private sector, organizations such as ClimatePartner can, for a fee, allow companies from many sectors to offset their carbon emissions using techniques like reforestation. Reforestation is a method to reintroduce trees and foliage to areas that have been cleared of vegetation. However, the effectiveness of this technique on a large scale is as yet undetermined. These companies can then claim climate neutral status and even use the title online. However, there is no international clarity around these certifications and their validity.

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Pledges

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Companies and organizations

Salt Spring Coffee became carbon neutral by lowering emissions through reducing long-range trucking and using bio-diesel fuel in delivery trucks, upgrading to energy efficient equipment and purchasing carbon offsets from its offset provider, Offsetters. Offsetters is a private entity that advises clients on how they can reduce carbon emissions. Salt Spring Coffee claims to the first carbon neutral coffee sold in Canada. Salt Spring Coffee was recognized by the David Suzuki Foundation in their 2010 report Doing Business in a New Climate.

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The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were the first carbon neutral Games in history through a large partnership with the carbon offset provider, Offsetters.

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Countries and nations

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Denmark

Samsø island in Denmark is the largest carbon-neutral settlement on the planet,^{[citation needed]} with a population of 4200, based on wind-generated electricity and biomass-based district heating. They currently generate extra wind power and export the electricity to compensate for petro-fueled vehicles. There are future hopes of using electric or biofuel vehicles.

Finland

The Helsinki Metropolitan area has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality. Methods include a movement towards renewable energy throughout the region. Their research showed that current renewable energy infrastructure was weak, and that they would need to focus on small-scale renewable energy before enacting blanket carbon neutrality policy.

France

On 27 June 2019, the French National Assembly voted into law the first article in a climate and energy package that sets goals for France to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and go carbon-neutral by 2050 in line with the 2015 Paris climate agreement. This was approved by the French Senate on 18 July 2019.

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Processes

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Offsetting

The use of Carbon offsets aims to neutralize a certain volume of GHG emissions by funding projects which should cause an equivalent reduction of GHG emissions somewhere else, such as tree planting. Under the premise “First reduce what you can, then offset the remainder”, offsetting can be done by supporting a responsible carbon project, or by buying carbon offsets or carbon credits.

Carbon offsetting is also a tool for several local authorities in the world. Issues have been raised regarding whether authorities have actually achieved carbon offsetting. Often, these authorities will be judged based upon different standards. Standards that differ between authorities include offsetting sustainability, variations in reporting, and global working conditions.

In 2015, the UNFCCC, following the mandate of the CDM Executive board, launched a dedicated website where organizations, companies, but also private person are able to offset their footprint (https://offset.climateneutralnow.org/) with the aim of facilitating everyone's participation in the process of promoting sustainability.

Offsetting is sometimes seen as a charged and contentious issue. For example, James Hansen describes offsets as "modern day indulgences, sold to an increasingly carbon-conscious public to absolve their climate sins."

Some even consider telling others to consider going climate neutral to be greenwashing.

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