In the United States, approximately 60% of each person's carbon footprint comes from the goods and services they buy, while the other 40% comes from their energy use at home, driving and flying.  That's more than half! The products you sell require energy to obtain, transport, refine, manufacture and distribute.  New reports also demonstrate that consumers are choosing products with more sustainable packaging, design and considering the environmental impact of the products that they purchase. 

Now you can do your part to reduce the impact of climate change by certifying your products CarbonFree^TM.  CarbonFree^TM certification enables your business to differentiate its products from your competition while showing your customers you are taking a leadership role in the fight against climate change by rendering your product's footprint neutral. 

Statement on the Basis of Certification:

To carry the CarbonFree^TM product certification label a product must complete a rigorous greenhouse gas emissions assessment and offset the resulting emissions through the support of greenhouse gas reduction strategies, such as supporting renewable energy, reforestation or energy efficiency projects.


Notes:

1. Life cycle assessments are used to evaluate the product emissions.
2. Life cycle assessments are prepared by independent third parties using the Product Certification Protocol.
3. All projects supported by Carbonfund.org are independently verified.

How It Works

1. Product Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA). Contact us and we'll work with you to understand your products' carbon footprint.  (For more information about carbon footprints, Click here)
2. Certify your product CarbonFree^TM
3. Offset your products' carbon footprint. (Quarterly based on actual sales.)
4. Highlight your CarbonFree^TM products to your customers and stakeholders.
5. Annually review the LCA and report on actions taken to reduce the footprint.

Click here to view the CarbonFree^TM Product Certification Protocol
Version 2.0 of the Protocol will be launched by the end of July 2008 following a 21-day public comment period launched on our site June 16, 2008.

Benefits

• Differentiate your products
• Improve your environmental performance
• Be a leader in the fight against global warming
• Gain recognition
• Help spread the word about effective global warming solutions

What You Get

• Recognition. Differentiate your products and stand out as an environmental leader in your industry
• Your carbon; your choice. Choose to support renewable energy, energy efficiency, reforestation or leave it up to us!
• Visibility. Get a customized CarbonFree^TM web page
• CarbonFree^TM logos. Use on your own marketing and packaging materials and on your web site
• Certificate. Receive a handsome certificate suitable for framing
• Media Attention. We'll work with you to develop and issue press releases and other PR.

Send an email to products@carbonfund.org to get started on estimating your footprint. 

Carbonfund.org established a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to provide ongoing review and support of the protocol and program.  For member bios, please click here