Individuals were able to actively contribute to reducing the effects of climate change by offsetting their greenhouse gas emissions caused by their travel. In co-operation with CO2-Concept, the SETAC organization committee enabled participants of their European conference to make their travel-related impacts carbon neutral.

 

The travel-related emissions were neutralised as follows:

 

• Every participant of the SETAC Europe conference could voluntarily pay a surcharge on top of the entrance fee. Offsetting covered travel by car, train or airplane from the point of origin to Porto and back (including travel to the airport). 

• The surcharge was the same for all participants. The SETAC conference takes place in a different country every year. Those who only have a short journey this year pay an over-proportional amount. Nevertheless, they might have a much longer journey in the following year and will then pay significantly less the year after. Estimates of the emissions generated from previous conferences were used in order to calculate the surcharge.

• Based on the registration forms, the average emissions in kg of CO2-equivalents will be calculated for each participant using PE INTERNATIONAL’s GaBi and SoFi software products and internationally established emission factors. 

• Emissions certificates for the total emissions were acquired. Excess revenue generated from the surcharges was used to purchase additional certificates. 

• The emissions reduction for the total amount of travel related emissions is  contracted and redeemed.

• The redemption of the emission reduction will be certified by a greenhouse gas registry system operated by an independent third party.

• The emission reductions will be derived from carbon offset projects that are validated and certified by independent third parties accredited at the UNFCCC. The emission reduction certificates will result from emission reduction during the years 2006 and 2007 and are verified in accordance with the VER+ Standard of TÜV SÜD AG.

 

For calculation of your own travel emissions use our emissions calculator.

 

The process for neutralizing the travel related greenhouse gas emission will be as follows:

• Every participant of the SETAC Europe conference that wants to neutralize the greenhouse gas emissions caused by its journey to the event will pay a surcharge on top of the attendance fee. The scope will include the transportation by car, train or airplane from the point of origin to Porto and back as well as the transportation to the airport.
• The surcharge is the same for all participants. The SETAC conference takes place in a different country every year. Those who only have a short journey this year pay an over-proportional amount. Nevertheless, they might have a much longer journey in the following year and will then pay significantly less than would be necessary to offset the carbon emissions. Estimates of the emissions generated from travelling participants is estimated based on the experience from previous conferences.
• Based on the registration forms, the average emissions in kg CO₂-equivalent will be calculated by Carbon Competence for each participant using our products GaBi and SoFi and internationally established emission factors.
• Emissions certificates for the total emissions will be acquired. In case more fees are generated, the excess will be used to purchase extra certificates.
• The emissions reductions for the total amount of travel related emissions of the SETAC Europe conference will be contracted and redeemed for the benefit of the SETAC organization committee on behalf of the conference participants.
• The redemption of emission reduction will be certified by a greenhouse gas registry system operated by an independent third party.
• The emission reductions will be derived from carbon offset projects that are validated and certified by independent third parties accredited at the UNFCCC for providing such services in the relevant sector scope of the carbon offset project. The emission reduction certificates will result from emission reduction during the years 2006 and 2007 and are verified in accordance with the VER+ Standard of TÜV SÜD AG. 

 

 For calculation of your individual travel emissions use our emissions calculator.