We did not inherit the land from our parents. We are borrowing it from our children.

- Amish proverb

 

 

Carbon Offsetting:

Elevate Destinations carbon offsets the land portion of your trip beginning with your arrival at your destination. We invite you to partner with Elevate Destinations and Sustainable Travel International to carbon offset your international airfare as well. Please visit this carbon calculator to make your whole trip carbon neutral!

Elevate Destinations builds the carbon offsets into your trip once you have reached your destination because we are dedicated to carbon neutral travel and conservation of the extraordinary locations that you visit. Elevate Destinations has chosen to work with the highest Gold Standard carbon reduction projects in locations worldwide. These Gold Standard projects have been vetted and are closely monitored to ensure they we remain aligned in our commitment to carbon neutral travel!

Please contact Elevate Destinations if you have questions or review the Frequently Asked Questions below for further information.

Elevate Destinations
info@elevatedestinations.com
617.661.0203

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 Why carbon offset?

Investing in carbon offsets and renewable energy is a great way to compensate for the CO2 pollution you create when traveling including, flying, driving, electricity use and waste. Your offset contributions stimulate demand for renewable energy, increase energy efficiency, and provide incentives for increases in the production of renewable energy.

How is the Greenhouse Effect related to Carbon Offsetting?

The Greenhouse Effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain naturally occurring gases and gases emitted as a result of human activities are released into the atmosphere.  These gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, which become trapped on the ground. Because these gases stay below the earth's atmosphere, they warm the Earth-- causing disastrous effects on the Earth's natural ecosystem. Of these greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is greatly elevated in the atmosphere by human sources.

Where does my carbon offset donation go?

Elevate Destinations and STI have strategic partners that aid us in monitoring the integrity of the projects that we work with.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF)

  • BEF reinvests all contributions toward Carbon Offsets into the development of renewable energy projects across North America.
  • All of BEF's Carbon Offsets are from 100 percent new, renewable resources found in North America.
  • BEF renewable sources are Green-e Climate Certified (www.green-e.org), the nation's first certification program for carbon offsets sold to consumers on the retail market.
  • Green-e Climate Certified GHG emission reduction products must contain only real, measured, permanent, verified, and beyond business-as-usual GHG emission reductions.
  • All of BEF renewable energy sources undergo an independent environmental review using criteria developed in collaboration with regional and national environmental organizations. For more information about BEF's Carbon Offset sources, please visit www.b-e-f.org.

ClimateCare

  • ClimateCare Verified Emission Reductions (VERs) support the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Africa, Asia and Europe.
  • ClimateCare Verified Emission Reductions (VER) are market-based commodities representing one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) calculated using Global Warming Potentials and developed in accordance with procedures, criteria and methodologies of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol or other international standards (such as the Gold Standard), with respect to their stipulations for greenhouse gas emissions reductions to be real, for the projects to not have happened without the investment that carbon credits provide, for the production of project-related social, economic and environmental benefits as well as emissions reductions. All projects are inspected and validated by CDM accredited Designated Operational Entities (DOEs), which are independent third-parties accepted by the United Nations.
  • The VER projects STI offers are based on internationally recognized criteria and are developed in accordance with the highest standards in the market: a) Energy-based Projects. STI only accepts renewable energy, energy efficiency, and methane-based VER projects with power generation; b) Additionality. STI only supports projects that would not be viable without support from the carbon offset market. c) Sustainable Development. A project is only accepted by STI if it does not cause any harm to the local environment, society and economy. Additionaly, the project should contribute to sustainable development, improved quality of life, transfer of knowledge and technology, local job generation, and reductions in air and water pollution.
  • ClimateCare VERs are Gold Standard certified (www.cdmgoldstandard.org) or in the process of undergoing Gold Standard assessment.

Conservation International

  • All Conservation Carbon offsets are designed using the standards set forth by the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Alliance (www.climate-standards.org).

TerraPass

  • All VER projects STI offers are verified by an approved third party under either the Climate Action Reserve standard (www.climateactionreserve.org), which was created by the non-profit California Climate Action Registry as directed by the State of California; or the Voluntary Carbon Standard (www.v-c-s.org), which employs the UN's Clean Development Mechanism rules and procedures.
  • All emission reduction projects are also validated for additionality, permanence, and other eligibility criteria, and every emission reduction sold to customers is independently verified.

Who is Sustainable Travel International?

Founded in 2002, Sustainable Travel International (STI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to providing education and outreach services that help travelers, travel providers and related organizations support environmental conservation and protect cultural heritage while promoting cross-cultural understanding and economic development. STI has more experience in working with the travel and tourism industry than any other carbon management and offset provider in the marketplace. They have been providing high quality climate mitigation and carbon offset solutions to businesses of all sizes since 2005, including education and advisory services related implementation and communications strategies.