ACTION CARBONE

Action Carbon supports the competition game on Greenweez.com

WED, 17 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Action Carbone supports competition game Greenweez.com

From February 13 to April 15, 2010, Greenweez.com organizes a competition game with 3000 euros lot to gain. Subscribe to the competition game Greenweez.com by clicking here, and multiply your chances to win big prizes by involving your friends.

Prizes to be won:
The first prize of 1500 € includes, among other things, an electric bike Eazymouv. But many other prizes to win for a total of 3150 €:
- Solar panels
- Decorative objects,
- Organic cosmetics,
- Office supplies,
- Candles solar
... and dozens of other gifts!

How ?
Of course, this game contest is completely free and without obligation to purchase. Thus, simply enter your e-mail and your details to enter the prize draw. You can also multiply your chances of winning by entering the e-mails of your friends!

4 Game Contest Partners:
4 partners support the reference competition game Greenweez.com: Direct Energy, Marcel Green, Action Carbone and Alter Eco.

Greenweez.com Action Carbone and have been partners since February 2010

About GREENWEEZ:
Greenweez.com was launched in 2008, the website E-commerce environment, offers online sales of over 6000 organic products, environmental, natural and this in all areas: Home & Garden Babies & Children, Well-Being , Dietary Supplements, Beauty, Office ... off fresh food department.
Real ecological supermarket, where you can find almost everything, with prices down voluntarily, Greenweez reverses 5 to 10% of its profits to organizations working in the field of Environment, part of which GoodPlanet via the Action Carbone programme.

Click here to register for the competition game Greenweez supported by Action Carbone.

"The Memory of possible" a show for Indian Kogis March 22nd, 2010 at Théâtre Comedia in Paris

WED, 16 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

The Memory of possible show for the Kogi Indians, March 22, 2010 at Théâtre Comedia in Paris

The Memory of possible is a show of Pierre Richard and Eric Julien, who will be presented March 22 at 8pm at Théatre Comedia in Paris. True performance of a given night of music, stories, songs, dances, readings and sacred arts of yesterday and today, this single event will convene a twenty artists for a sensory and emotional journey that will open the voices of dialogue between tradition and modernity.

The Memory of possible a show for Indian Kogis

This show is made for the benefit of actions by the NGO Tchendukua - Here and Elsewhere that helps the Kogi Indians community in Colombia (purchase and return of land, biodiversity conservation and reforestation), that GoodPlanet, through Action Carbone, is an historical partner.

Action Carbone programme supports Tchendukua's project in COlombia. For more information on the project, visit the project page. For more information about the show, visit Tchendukua website .

New research in Madagascar

WED, 12 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

New research on the Holistic Conservation Programme for Forests in Madagascar in Madagascar. Two important studies have been initiated by the local team in partnership with several institutes and universities.

1) Developing an alternative method for estimating the biomass:
The concept is to link data from optical images (SPOT 5) and radar (Palsar satellite / sensor Alos) with ground measurements to characterize forest structure: mensuration, Leaf Area Index (LAI). This basic research is the subject of a partnership with the UMR 7179 CNRS / MNHN, the University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée, the Institute and Observatory of Geophysics of Antananarivo (IOGA) and the Ecole Nationale des Eaux et Forets (ENEF) of Gabon, who work on the same theme.
From January 27 to 31 2010, with Bernard Riera (CNRS / MNHN), Jean-Paul Rudant (Univ. Paris-Est Marne la Vallée) and the local team from WWF, the first measurements of leaf area index were conducted in Fort-Dauphin through LAI-meter developed by a team of physicists CNRS. To cover different types of ecosystems, measures focused on the humid forests of Andohahela National Park (World Heritage by UNESCO), then on the spiny forests of Ambatoabo. A student of the IOGA will now seek to link the data with available images.

LAImètre - Measure Leaf Area Index of B. Riera (CNRS / MNHN) and H. Moinjee (WWF) - Radar Image of Libreville (Gabon) and LAI Chart

2) Measurement of soil organic carbon and litter:
Important but unknown, the carbon stocks of these compartments will be finely measured by infrared spectrometry: soil samples, collected up to 1m depth (upper limit allowed by the IPCC), are traversed by a light wave and the answers made could help to determine the composition of the concerned sample. These data will be linked to the biomass also measured on the plots studied.
These works are pointed to a partnership with the Radio-Isotope Laboratory of the Universtity of Antananarivo with the Eco & Flooring Unit of the Institute of Development Research (IRD).
From 1 to 4 February, with Alain Albrecht (IRD) and Sarobidy Rakotonarivo (DEA student at the School of Agricultural Sciences Superior Madagascar), the first samples were collected in humid forests. The result of this work is expected in mid-2010.

Collection of soil samples and spectrometric analysis

Click here to learn more about the Holistic Conservation Programme for Forests in Madagascar.

Action Carbone composting project in Madagascar validated by Bureau Veritas

WED, 10 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Action Carbone composting project in Madagascar validated by Bureau Veritas.

The project of Organic compost for agricultural use from municipal solid waste in Madagascar, has been validated by Bureau Veritas for the Voluntary Carbon Standard *. This project is supported by the “Action Carbone programme” of GoodPlanet Foundation under the voluntary carbon market. This project is carried out by two associations: Tananamadio and Gevalor in Madagascar. We are very pleased to announce the completion of the “project validation” with the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). This milestone has been a result of the strong efforts of our team and our local partners.
Bureau Veritas did the validation and this insures the project registration in the VCS registry in the coming weeks. To date, this project constitutes the first one to be validated by VCS label in Madagascar. The project document validated by Bureau Veritas, was completed according to a CDM methodology (Clean Development Mechanism, methodology AMS-III.F.). It demonstrates the reduction of 150 000 tonnes CO2 equivalent over 10 years from October 2008, from processing the organic wastes with capacity that can reach up to 12 000 tonnes per year from 2011.

Before launching the project, the solid wastes were disposed in the open landfill sites. The anaerobic decomposition (without air) of the waste on the landfill lead to methane emissions (GHG with 21 times more than the CO2). The production of compost from waste avoids a part of those greenhouse gas emissions. In this project, given unfavourable constraints to selective collecting, raw wastes collected are sorted on site by a combination of manual and mechanical means. More than one hundred of jobs are currently created, this number is expected to double from 2011. This recovery of wastes encourages the Municipality to improve the efficiency of the wastes collection, which is still very low (only 30% of household waste are collected) with the help of organizations like the Institute of Regional Cooperation and Development IRCOD Enda IO (Environment and Development, Indian Ocean).

The organic compost sold in the local market contributes to the development of agriculture (suburban gardening, reforestation crops jatropha ...) which replaces the use of chemical fertilizers and returning organic matter to soils. The agricultural component of the project has scientific support from (project Isard) Center for International Cooperation in Agronomic Research for Development (CIRAD), Institute of Development Research (IRD) and Institut National de Recherche Agronomique (INRA). The approach can be followed in other cities in the developing countries. Given the high rate of growth in these cities, the needs, both in terms of waste management, jobs creation or the fight against climate change, this type of approach should be promoted.

If considered that a portion of 100,000 people in a developing country city generates annually approximately 20 000 tons of garbage. However taken into account legislation, local climate, the amount and type of garbage collected, the waste disposal method, etc, Gevalor and GoodPlanet are currently looking to potential future areas of intervention for disseminating this technology in other countries.

You can download the validation report established by Bureau Veritas.

The Gold Standard officially regristered two biogas tanks construction projects in India and China

WED, 11 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

The Gold Standard officially regristered two biogas tanks construction projects in India and China.

The biogas projects supported by Action Carbone and implemented by NGOs SKG Sangha in India and Initiative Development in China have been officially registered by the Gold Standard on the 6th and 19th of January respectively. Check the list of projects registered by the Gold Standard on the official site, the project Action Carbone GoodPlanet have the following numbers;

- GS 614 for the construction of biogas tanks in China

- GS 615 for the construction of biogas tanks and production of vermicompost in India.

Action Carbone is pleased to welcome this international recognition of its work and continues its efforts to enable people in the indian district of Hassan and in the chinese province of Guizhou to access a renewable energy source for their lighting and cooking needs.

CNN "Burning Bio-char" coverage on our "Terra preta" project in India

WED, 09 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

CNN coverage of our biochar project in India. Click here to watch the video on CNN website

First side-event Action Carbone in Copenhaguen, with AFD and GERES

WED, 08 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Our first side-event was been held yesterday, December 7th in the European Pavilion of Bella Center

The conference was chaired by The French Agency of Development AFD and aimed to present two examples of sucess projects financed by carbone finance:
- a project of biogas tanks construction in India run by the NGO SKG Sangha and financed by Action Carbone
- a project of improved cookstoves implementation in Cambodia run by GERES

As associative actors with non-profit goals, the fondation GoodPlanet and GERES have shown the feasibility of financing sustainable projects combining the development of local communities and alleviation of climate change.

Good Planet presented the project of biogas tanks construction and vermicompost production led by the Indian NGO SKG Sangha. The president of this NGO, Vidya Sagar was present on side of Matthieu Tiberghien, head of the programme Action Carbone.
The presentation focused on the benefits of the project, financial aspects and the results obtained from the field. Matthieu Tiberghien particularly presented the partnership established with AFD concerning the scaling up of the project through a loan.
Then, questions of the audience turned towards to various methodological aspects and the monitoring process of projects.

Action Carbone will participate to other side-events, especially to display the project of fight against deforestation in Madagascar.
Stay connected for more informations.
Photo of the conference panel

Madagascar : An annual assessment of our Holistic Forest conservation programme in Madagascar

WED, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT

From 8/11 to 11/11, GoodPlanet Foundation had invited the media for a “ field visit” to show them the progress of the project for forests conservation in Madagascar which has been conducted in collaboration with WWF and Air France. Participants visited one of the restoration sites at Fandriana project area where thousands of indigenous species were planted in January to restore the connection of the fragmented forests. A meeting was then held with the representatives of the local communities involved in the process of Natural Resource Management’s transfer. Since the beginning of the project, this process allows the people to benefit from voluntary land security and better assets management. Meanwhile, participants were also able to measure the magnitude of the currently deployed technologies (in terms of satellite imagery or in terms of measuring soil carbon) to assess as accurately as possible the impact of field activities in terms of greenhouse gas emissions reductions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). Finally, a press conference had been organized to inform the Malagasy media about the progress and future development of the project after its first anniversary.

GoodPlanet is now a Fundation

WED, 05 Jun 2009 13:00:00 GMT

These are great news we are really glad to announce you : our organization GoodPlanet becomes now a Fundation. And this a happy coincidence it happens today, the world environment day, also the releasing day of HOME, Yann Arthus-Bertrand movie. Thanks to this new Grâce à ce nouveau statut, nous pourrons désormais donner plus d’envergure à nos projets et les mettre à la portée du plus grand nombre. Stay alert, you wiil soon be able to get involved in the GoodPlanet Fundation life.

Yann Arthus-Bertrand has been officially designated as the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador

WED, 23 Apr 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Yann Arthus-Bertrand has been officially designated as the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador.
This nomination is a recognition of Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s achievements in advancing environmental awareness through educational programs and through his TV documentaries ’Earth from Above’ for the French public television, broadcasted in 40 countries. As Goodwill Ambassador of the UNEP, Yann Arthus-Bertrand will publicize the initiatives of this international organization. He will also be invited to visit and support local initiatives.

Annual Report published

WED, 31 Mar 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Annual Report 2008 published
It gives us great pleasure to present you today with our Annual Report for 2008. Over 35 pages we provide insight into the progress made in each of our projects, the way we work, general developments, problems encountered and successes enjoyed. You can download it here or from our homepage.

Come and meet GoodPlanet at the Planète Durable Fair

WED, 16 Mar 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Come and meet GoodPlanet at the Planète Durable Fair
Action Carbone will be present at the annual fair Planète Durable (Sustainable Planet) from 2 to 5 April at Porte de Versailles. Come and discover GoodPlanet’s different projects at the fair of “discovery and activities dedicated to eco-consumerism in everyday life”.

Find out more...
We have invitations to give away for this fair – should you wish to receive one, please send your postal address, along with the number of invitations you want, to contact@actioncarbone.org.

See you there!

SFR is offsetting its greenhouse gas emissions in collaboration with Action Carbone

WED, 06 Feb 2009 13:00:00 GMT

SFR is offsetting its greenhouse gas emissions in collaboration with Action Carbone

SFR has decided to support the construction of biogas reactors in China, coordinated by Action Carbone, in order to offset their emissions from air travel.

SFR is the first telecommunictions provider to engage in such an offsetting project. It will further reinforce their commitment to sustainable mobility, which is one of its main priorities in its environmental policy.

Internally as well as externally, this commitment is implemented with three main initiatives which encourage and facilitate sustainable behavior in terms of mobility.

1. Optimisation of SFR employees’ home-work travel, in particular the implementation of 7 company travel plans (PDE – plans de déplacement entreprises) in their branches in Rennes, Nantes, Lyon, la Défense, Nanterre, Boulogne and Meudon.

2. Optimisation of work-related travel with a travel policy that gives preference to trains over planes and that encourages the increased use of webconferences…

3. The development of numerous products and services that give preference to environmentally friendly modes of transport, such as T.écovoiturage, the first nation-wide, student car-sharing service, with TomTom and velib with the aim of developing innovative, environmentally friendly products and services.

After Poznan: The role of the forests understood, but not acted on

WED, 05 Feb 2009 13:00:00 GMT

After-Poznan: the role of the forests - understood but not acted on
NB: The following article is an extract from our forthcoming 10th newsletter (February/March)

Progress was made at the framework conference of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Chnage). Of course we have a long way left to go before a satisfactory agreement can be reached at Copenhagen in 2009. We need to remember that deforestation accounts for 17% of global annual greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2004).
The projects of the UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD) are, in many respects, a mechanism that is growing in importance to reduce the impact of, and adapt to Climate Change, in particular through:
-The capture of current carbon stocks, estimated at being several billion tons;
-The preservation of ecosystems (soils, ground water levels, biodiversity) and the natural habitats of populations that depend on the forest for their livelihoods.

Progress made at Poznan
In Poznan, “after difficult negotiations and several attempts by the USA, Brazil and India to slow proceedings with technicalities, the talks gained momentum towards the end, however not sufficiently for them to result in a tangible decision by the Conference of the Parties”, Olivier Bouyer* admitted on GoodPlanet.info.
However, these negotiations did allow the affirmation of a so-called “sectorial” approach, ie a global one, which takes into account deforestation, degradation, and the upkeep of forests and plantations. This is necessary because of the need to gather information on carbon stocks in as complete a manner as possible. Furthermore, the member states agreed on the creation of a framework for coordinating activities to reinforce capacities, and on the need to make progress in methodologies for measuring carbon in the forests. Finally, the need to consult native populations was recognised, for instance by including them in the committees for the planning and carrying out of pilot projects.

Action Carbone at the cutting edge of the REDD
The «holistic program of forest conservation in Madagascar», carried out by GoodPlanet and funded by Air France, was clearly noted in decisions taken in Poznan on the subject. Carried out locally by the WWF, this project has the principal aim of advancing knowledge about how to measure the impact of farming, with a view to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and/or to further carbon-capturing. The project makes use of innovative methodologies and instruments:
- High definition satellite images and aerial photography to monitor land usage;
- The development of models to measure biomass, specially adapted to the forests of Madagascar;
- The measurement of carbon stocks of the soils...
According to Romuald Vaudry, sent to Madagascar especially by Action Carbone, “the program should further scientific knowledge significantly. It will benefit all projects of the REDD in Madagascar and it will also allow the Madagascan government to come up with a strategy concerning the challenges of the REDD”.
At the same time, the project aims to improve the standard of living for the local population by incorporating them in the project and preserving the exceptional biodiversity of the Grande Île.
Matthieu Tiberghien, program manager of Action Carbone, presented the project in Poznan at a conference entitled “National strategies of REDD projects, the case of Madagascar”.

* Olivier Bouyer is head of the program « greenhouse effect and forests » in the Ministrry of Agriculture
** Romuald Vaudry is in charge of the program for the holistic conservation of forests in Madagascar, representing Action Carbone.

Launch of Six Billion Others

WED, 06 Jan 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Launch of the video exhibition Six Billion Others
In 2003, after « The Earth From Above », Yann Arthus-Bertrand started the project Six Billion Others together with Sibylle d’Orgeval and Baptiste Rouget-Luchaire. 5000 interviews, filmed in 75 countries by 6 directors kick off this meeting with Others.

From the Brasilian fisherman to the Chinese shopkeeper, from the German artist to the Afghan farmer, all of them replied to the same questions concerning their fears, their dreams, their misfortunes, their hopes :

What did you learn from your parents ?
What do you want to pass on to your children ?
What tests have you encountered in your life ?
What does love mean to you ?

Around 40 fundamental questions show us what makes us different, and what we have in common. This portrait of mankind today, already previously available in parts on the website Six Billion Others are exhibited in the Grand Palais from 10 January until 12 February 2009.

Action Carbone's lecture in Poznan: the video

WED, 23 Dec 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Action Carbone’s lecture in Poznan : the video
Action Carbone took part in the fringe event on « national strategies of REDD projects, the Madagascar case » on December 8th.
The scope and details of the Holistic Program for the Conservation of Madagascan Forests, which encompasses more than 500,000 ha and a budget of 5 million euros, has made Action Carbone a recognised player in this field.
Between 1 and 12 December, the UN Framework Conference on climate change took place in Poznan/Poland. The signatory countries of the Kyoto Protocol were together for two weeks , along with a large number of governmental and non-governmental organisations.
A big thank you to Denis Loyer of AFD for filming this lecture.

Watch the video

The Last Day of Negotiations in Poznan

WED, 12 Dec 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Today is the last day of negotiations in Poznan. Late this evening, Yvo de Boer will conclude the COP 14 which has been underway since 1 December. A thought for all the national repesentatives who have been exerting themselves to try and reach a deal that will act encouragingly for the framework conference in Copenhagen next year.

More information on the GoodPlanet blog.

Live from Poznan on the GoodPlanet blog !

WED, 08 Dec 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Live from Poznan on the GoodPlanet blog ! From Friday, 5 December, you can follow news of Action Carbone on the GoodPlanet blog. The entire Action Carbone team is currently in Poland to be at the heart of where the decisions are made at the 14th UN framework conference on climate change. Live from Poznan on the GoodPlanet blog All the news on GoodPlanet.info

Poznan: What challenges do the forests face?

WED, 08 Dec 2008 13:00:00 GMT

An interview with Olivier Bouyer**, member of the French delegation to Poland. Poznan : what challenges do the forests face ? So if such discussions were encouraged in Bali last year*, will the participants make a clear commitment to combatting deforestation ?

Action Carbone : In 2007 in Bali, the REDD projects were treated extensively. Can you remind us of the elements that came up ?
Olivier Brouyer : In Bali, the international community recognised that 20% of greenhouse gas emissions were due to deforestation (cutting down) and degradation of the forests (slow loss of forest land and thus of carbon capture). There was a call for an immediate launch of pilot projects, with indicative guidlines for realising them. For the first time, developped and developing countries were in agreement on concrete measures to combat the growing greenhouse effect. That was a very positive sign, 2 years before Copenhagen.

AC : On that basis, what can we expect from Poznan concerning the forest issue ?
OB : To go further ! It’s about recognising the efforts by those countries who are making a real effort to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, and as a consequence the related greehouse gas emissions. But also the efforts of those countries who are committing to protecting their forests, or at least using them in a sustainable way, ie in combination with plans to reforest (like the one that is being developped in the Congan Basin).
Also, it’s about promoting afforestation programs in countries that are reacquiring forest land, and understanding that the idea is not to cut down original forest in order to be assisted by such afforestation programs, as we are seeing in some South-East Asian countries.

AC : If a regulatory mechanism were to be implemented to prompt countries to conserve their forestsin exchange for carbon credits, what form could that take ?
OB : We don’t yet have a framework that is complete in all its details. The Poznan negotiations only concern one point, in the jargon of the Bali roadmap « political approaches and positive incentives »… Basically, the framework could reward additional efforts of countries (of reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to deforestation or forest degradation or the increased absorption of greenhouse gases through forest management or afforestation), by comparing it to a scenario where they had not undertaken these efforts. Of course, the difficulty is then to define such a scenario and what constitutes an additional effort.

AC : What is the role of the French delegation in Poznan ?
OB : France currently holds the EU presidency, so we need to coordinate the positions of the 27 members states. We will organise meetings with other countries or country groupings, NGO’s, or pressure groups that are taking part in the negotiations, either as official representatives of their respective countries or informal ones…
In brief, we have to organise the logistics of the big european family on the ground (250 people that move several times a day, in thematic groups, at the fringes of the negotiations).
Last but not least : France made cooperation with Africa on environmental issues a priority of her European presidency. So we will be having a lot of exchanges in the quest to produce coordinated suggestions of the EU and Africa on climate issues.

AC : In your opinion, does Barak Obama’s election mark a return of the US to the forefront of the fight against climate change ?
OB : Recently, at the opening of a summit of the region’s governors, hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California, Barak Obama reaffirmed his ambition to bring the US’s emissions down to the levels of 1990 by 2020, and to reduce them by 80% of current levels by 2050… Even if that’s close enough to the ambitions of the EU (-30% of current levels by 2020 if we reach an international deal, 20% if not), this is non the less a positive start. But I’ll stop there, after all I’m not a diplomat !

* For further information on this topic, read « What future do our rainforests have ? », AC newsletter no 4, February 2008.
** Olivier Bouyer is in charge of the program « the greenhouse effect and the rainforests » in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Action Carbone takes part in the UN Framework Conference in Poznan

WED, 15 Nov 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Action Carbone is taking part in the UN’s Framework Convention Conference in Poznan. Between 1 and 12 December the 14th UN framework conference on climate change (better known as UNFCCC) will take place in Poznan. One of its objectives is to define the terms of a new international treaty on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in preparing a follow-up to the Kyoto Protocol, which will be replaced at the conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. The signatory countries of the Kyoto Protocol will be together for two weeks, as will a large number of governmental and non-governmental organisations. Action Carbone will participate in a side-event entitled « National Strategies of REDD projects, the Madagescar case » on 8 December at 7 pm. The scope and the details of the Holistic Program for the Conservation of Madagascan Forests, which encompasses more than 500,000 ha and with a budget of 5 million euros, has made Action Carbone a recognised player in this field. Also worth noting is a seminar on 5 December at 4 pm on Terra Preta, ie the burying of biochar as a « technique to capture carbon in the long term to combat global warming and to improve the quality of soils worldwide ». A community project with biochar in India is part of Action Carbone’s Alternative Carbone portfolio.

The Palais des Thés is compensating its emissions from deliveries by air

WED, 05 Nov 2008 13:00:00 GMT

The Palais des Thés is compensating its emissions from their deliveries by air. Eager to reduce their environmental impact, the Palais des Thés committed itself in 2008 in a step to become more environmentally responsible. Their approach in evaluating their organisation’s activities is all-encompassing, ranging from the activities of their associates, over the choice of suppliers, to their clients’ habbits and so on. One of their projects concerns compensating their greenhouse gas emissions from deliveries by air. Together with Action Carbone, the Palais des Thés is partly financing projects for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the global south, for instance the dissemination of improved household cookers in Cambodia, or biogas reservoirs in China. Discover all of the Salon des Thés’ commitments.

Action Carbone, FNAC's partner for a sustainable offering

WED, 28 Sep 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Action Carbone, FNAC's partner for an offering based on sustainability and solidarity. FNAC is committing itself and offering its members to make their loyalty points into a voluntary donation to a charitable organisation. FNAC chose Action Carbone as that organisation to make their contribution to combat climate change. Find out more…

Do You Know GoodPlanetConso.org?

WED, 12 Sep 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Do you know GoodPlanetConso.org ? Here you can find news, reports, products, good deeds, videos etc to do with nutrition, transport, energy, accomodation well-being for ethical consumerism. The site aims to inform, to present practical solutions and to explain to the internet user the consequences of their consumption by giving them the means for a fuller understanding (whether they’re eco-citizens or not)

Action Carbone in the Special Edition of Canal+

WED, 08 Sep 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Action Carbone is in the special edition of Canal+ ! On Friday, 5 September, Daphné presented our organisation in the category « Trends ». Watch the video here

Interview with Matthieu Tiberghien

WED, 12 Aug 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Interview with Matthieu Tiberghien, Head of Action Carbone, on France Info, where he explains French peoples’ reluctance when it comes to voluntary offsetting. Listen to the full interview here

Prisma Press commited to fight against climate change

WED, 08 Jul 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Prisma Presse commits itself to fight against climate change by signing a convention with Action Carbone for the offsetting of its CO2 emissions.
Prisma Presse Group, the second press magazine publisher in France, has more than one initiative in favor of sustainable development. The latest one, is the offsetting of GHG emissions related to plane trips of its employees (over1000) for the year 2007, this represents a total of 750 tons equivalent CO2.

Air France commits itself with Action Carbone

WED, 09 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Air France commits itself today with Action Carbone. A historical partnership of 5 millions euros for the protection of 500,000 hectares of forest in Madagascar. The project is developed by GoodPlanet.org and entirely funded bu Air France. This is certainly one of the most important project of fight against deforestation supported by a private company.
GoodPlanet.org, the non-profit association directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, is very proud to announce the signature of a big partnership with Air France. 5 million euros will be invested over 3 years to protect 500 000 hectares of Malagasy natural forest. The project will be conducted by WWF Madagascar on the field and will decrease the rate of forests’ disappearance (390 000 hectares) and will help restore certain degraded forests (110 000 hectares).

Furthermore, the project will enhance the living conditions of the local populations by giving them a direct responsibility within the management of forests and natural resources. It will encourage sustainable agricultural practices and will provide participants with additional income generation activities since approximately 70 jobs will be created. Moreover, thousands of beneficiaries, for whom the environment is in their every-day lives, will be affected positively.
This carbon sequestration project has the potential to keep between 61 and 68 million tones of CO2 in the forest and avoid its rejection back to the atmosphere. One of the main objectives of this project is to continue holding this carbon by diminishing the current deforestation rate, which globally accounts for about 20% of our world’s greenhouse gas emissions. GoodPlanet.org, through its Action Carbone program and in cooperation with WWF Madagascar, will develop an appropriate expertise through this project. A series of “green standards” intended to measure the results of carbon sequestration projects will be evaluated. For more information on the project

New Action Carbone website launch

WED, 09 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Action Carbone launches its new website, more informative and interactive, the site positions the program in the offsetting market.

Particular attention to teaching and learning
Although climate change is better understood, it is necessary to provide concrete and precise information on possible solutions. There is an emphasis on solutions which citizens can incorporate into their daily routine and also on our projects: identifying and monitoring projects, building relationships with NGOs, Alternative Carbone, etc.

Business calculator
We understand that many businesses wish to offset their emissions, but do not always have the necessary funds to carry out a Bilan Carbone™ (Carbon footprint’s Evaluation) of their activities. We therefore propose, free of charge, an online calculator aimed at professionals to quickly measure the impact of travel or conferences.

Internet access to the tool 2.0
At last, the new site includes tools which allow users to follow projects day by day: news of the project’s progress, videos and possibility to pay online….

Carbon offsetting and responsible communication

WED, 05 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Carbon offsetting and responsible communication. Often denounced as “greenwashing”, carbon offsetting is however a powerful tool for companies to engage in responsible activities, on condition that they would operate coherently through their whole actions.

What’s greenwashing?

Since last few years, advertising largely took hold of the growing environment problem, for the best and the worst.
We talk about Greenwashing when a company invests more money and time to promote its green talk through communication and marketing actions, than to implement responsible attempts to reduce the environmental impact of its activity.
More and more initiatives are emerging to denounce this cheating ((Greenwashingindex.com). In 2006, in the United Kingdom, a 4x4 manufacturer included the cost of offsetting in the sale price of its vehicles and bragged about commercializing carbon-neutral vehicles!

The offsetting practice must protect itself from Greenwashing

Action Carbone is very careful when it comes to this kind of opportunistic behaviours since they represent a real threat, not only for its brand image but also for the voluntary carbon market as a whole. As a non-governmental organisation (NGO), GoodPlanet.org must be a trustful and uncompromising partner.
For this to happen, a real screening process is performed upon the companies wishing to offset their activities with Action Carbone. What’s the scope of their activities to offset? Is it relevant to the company’s products or services? Is the offsetting integrated in an overall sustainable-development action?
Furthermore, to improve the guidance, Action Carbone undertakes Carbon Accounting (Bilan Carbone) services for companies wishing to go beyond neutralizing emissions. Finally, Action Carbone briefly evaluates a cost-benefit ratio.
While supporting a non-profit association in France, a company is constrained to legal limitations concerning its donation. Moreover, during its partners’ communication campaigns, Action Carbone assists them on the message given to the consumer and makes sure that it is not just a one-shot action.

Responsible communication at stake

The lack of such a strict regulation of the advertising market slows down the development of a responsible communication. AdWiser, the pioneer group of responsible advertising actors, defines responsible comunication as “a way of communication that gives priority to eco-designed media and use ecological arguments only when it is justified. Further, it refuses the promotion of behaviors that would affect in a negative way the quality of our environment and social relations”.
Although initiatives as Adwiser are worth of existing, they are still fragile. As an evidence of the slow evolution of mentalities, the Bureau de la Verification de la Publicité (French Advertising Verification Office) signed in April 2008 a “Code of Responsible Communication” barely restrictive for the announcers and strongly criticized by defenders of a responsible communication. A company can still present its products as respectful to the environment without any guarantee or security. However, pressure from NGOs and consumer’s defence associations is constantly rising. Moreover, consumers are becoming aware but mostly educated to distinguish the reliability of the message. It’s up to each one of us to find out about the origin, quality and environmental respect of the products we consume.

Responsible carbon offsetting

To include carbon offsetting to a Corporate Social Responsibility policy is totally relevant. When a company offsets greenhouse gas emissions related to its activities, it provides funds for emissions reduction projects. There is definitely a will for a concrete action. The threat is to use carbon offsetting as the unique commitment. The company forgets that the priority to fight against climate change is avoidance of GHG emissions at their source, here in France or wherever the emissions to be offset are taking place.
The ADEME (French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management) launched a code of voluntary carbon market, which is crystal clear towards those who want to offset carbon emissions: they must commit themselves “to refer to the global emissions reduction they execute or plan to execute in the short term”.
Carbon offsetting is a complimentary action, it must be part of a global commitment strategy, therefore associated to other means; for example, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and/or the optimization of the supply chain. Like that, a company presenting its responsible actions would be coherent with its speech and would make the best out of the broad range of benefits in terms of brand image.

To go further, find out the references

Ecocommunication ADEME’s guide

AdWiser report on responsible communication

Eco-responsible communication BVP’s charter

Criticism of the charter

Action Carbone will attend the SEMD

WED, 13 May 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Action Carbone attends the Environment and Sustainability forum, which will be held at the Brogniart Palace in Paris from June 12th to 14th.

The International Day for the Environment

WED, 06 May 2008 13:00:00 GMT

The International Day for the Environment
Today is the International Day for the Environment, which this year has the aim of developping ideas of a zero-carbon economy. Something to think about!

Action Carbone ratifies the ADEME’s code of best practices for voluntary carbon offsetting.

WED, 18 Feb 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Action Carbone ratifies the ADEME’s code of best practices for voluntary carbon offsetting. For more information

1 year of offsetting! Action Carbone celebrates its first anniversary

WED, 11 Oct 2007 13:00:00 GMT

1 year of offsetting! Action Carbone celebrates its first anniversary.