Considering the full spectrum of one’s environmental impact is very important – especially in the ocean freight shipping industry where maritime shipping makes up 2.4% of global CO2 emissions.
We have joined Myclimate, a footprint calculator, to measure our carbon footprint and we are very excited about it.
Myclimate is our partner for improved climate protection – locally and worldwide.
Carbon footprint is defined, broadly speaking, as a “measure of the environmental impact of a particular individual or organization’s lifestyle or operation, measured in units of carbon dioxide.”
It Starts Here
While just a first step, the Myclimate footprint calculator will assess our office footprint. In Myclimate’s words, “It really is surprising how much CO2 emissions we produce in everyday life. For instance, CO2 and other emissions are caused when driving a car, heating a house, cooking, working, celebrating or flying. These CO2 emissions can easily be calculated with the Myclimate carbon footprint calculators and then offset in myclimate carbon offset projects.”
We will be looking at actions that can be taken to minimize our CO2 impact such as transit and infrastructural elements like heating and energy consumption.
Taking It a Step Further: CO2 Offsetting
While emissions avoidance and reduction have long been offered as socially-responsible corporate solutions, the process of carbon offsetting is an interesting and hopeful development in the shipping industry.
The basic concept of carbon offsetting is that (often unavoidable) CO2 emissions released into the air in one location are reduced at another location.
Compensation for Freight Hub’s CO2 emissions is offset through a Nicaragua-based climate protection project. For every metric ton of CO2 generated by FreightHub’s carbon footprint, an equivalent amount of harmful emissions are mitigated through afforestation and reforestation. Levels are verified by an independent global standard of carbon neutral programs. The donation assists families with small farms in Nicaragua to reforest unused parts of their land with local tree varieties. Further benefits are economic (2,645 jobs) and sociological (sustainable development).
To date, an area the size of 15,000 ha (the size of 2,100 soccer fields) has been reforested by 409 families in the Platanares watershed in the municipality of San Juan de Limay, Nicaragua. FreightHub is excited to contribute to future community payments. These payments will lead to removing an equal amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to what the office of FreightHub has generated. The payments will further the success of the climate protection project. We are looking forward to building upon the 46,000 t CO2 issued so far, which has reached the equivalent, in annual emissions, of over 90,000 cars.
The Way Ahead for the Shipping Industry and the Environment
A promising avenue for future environmental responsibility in the shipping industry is offsetting or carbon-neutral programs .There are many online platforms that facilitate CO2 offsetting.
We will hopefully see more digital freight forwarders and maritime shipping companies come aboard. Everyone can reduce harmful emissions and take responsibility for their own footprint!
Your Turn
If you have questions, comments or suggestions about improving your business carbon footprint or want to learn more about FreightHub’s offsetting endeavors, leave a comment below. We welcome your thoughts!
Stay Informed
Interested in receiving cutting-edge industry news and insights? Sign up for our newsletter here. You won’t want to miss out!
