Offsetters Climate Solutions ensures Canadian Olympic Team's travel is carbon neutral
VANCOUVER, Sept. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Offsetters Climate Solutions has reaffirmed its partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) as its Official Carbon Partner in a partnership that will last through to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Offsetters' strategic partnership and four year commitment with the COC on the Canadian Olympic Team's carbon footprint is leading the way among National Olympic Committees. As part of this renewed commitment, Offsetters will lead an effort to understand and offset the COC's organizational footprint as well as the travel emissions of athletes, equipment, coaches, board members and mission staff.
"By measuring and offsetting the carbon emissions of the high profile athletes and trainers of our Canadian team, we hope to educate, engage and inspire all Canadians to follow our lead and take action on climate change." said James Tansey, CEO and Founder of Offsetters.
In the next four years, Offsetters will work with the COC and its partners to measure and reduce their climate impact at future international sporting events. This integrated partnership is helping to set a new standard for sustainable stewardship and carbon offsetting at large-scale events, in turn expanding the climate impact management beyond just the Canadian Olympic Committee's efforts.
Work will include offsetting every team member's travel footprint to the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games. Emissions will be retired with a high quality portfolio of offsets derived from Canadian and international carbon projects that reflect the global nature of the Games.
"While we stand behind the Olympic Rings as a symbol of excellence, we also know that their power transcends sport," said Christopher Overholt, COC Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General "We are proud to be standing with our athletes, so many of whom are fervent in their belief in the importance of this cause, in the pursuit of a more sustainable future for all of us."
In 2010, Offsetters set a new global standard for sustainable sport by offsetting the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to become the first ever carbon neutral Olympic Games. Offsetters continued this legacy of carbon neutrality and also offset the Canadian Olympic team's emissions to London in 2012.
"I am really pleased to see this important partnership between Offsetters and the Canadian Olympic Committee continue," said Justin Lamoureux, two-time Olympian and three-time Canadian Champion in snowboard. "As athletes we depend on a clean environment to be able to perform at our best. We all have a responsibility to ourselves, the planet and to following generations to live as sustainably as possible and it is wonderful to see the Canadian Olympic community taking a leadership role in doing this."
The ongoing strategic partnership between Offsetters and the COC helps promote the shift to a low carbon future as well as build a greater understanding of the link between sport and the environment. The COC considers its climate action and sustainability commitments to be an important aspect of its mandate to provide a high level of ethical service to the sport community, partners and athletes, and also to be a best-in-class organization that will inspire both corporate partners and other National Olympic Committees to take action on climate change.
About Offsetters Climate Solutions
Offsetters is North America's leading carbon management solutions provider. Founded in 2005, the company helps organizations and individuals understand, reduce, and offset their climate impact. Offsetter was the first official supplier of carbon offsets in the history of the Olympic movement (Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games). Its team of industry leaders specializes in the origination, development and commercialization of high-quality carbon offset projects and is proud to also provide clients with a comprehensive offering of sustainability consultancy services. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Offsetters has worked with over 150 of the world's most prestigious organizations including Aimia and lululemon athletica. For more information, please visit www.offsetters.ca.
About the Canadian Olympic Committee
The Canadian Olympic Committee leads the achievement of the Canadian Olympic Team's podium success and advances Olympic values in Canada. Independent and predominantly privately funded, the Canadian Olympic Committee delivers resources that Canada's elite athletes need to perform at their best and give their everything every day. The backbone of Canada's Olympic movement, the Canadian Olympic Committee works with National Sport Federations to prepare the Team for the Olympic, Youth Olympic and Pan American Games. By sharing our athletes' stories, we inspire all Canadians through the power of sport: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Image with caption: "Offsetters Climate Solutions logo (CNW Group/Offsetters Climate Solutions)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130919_C8642_PHOTO_EN_31053.jpg
SOURCE: Offsetters Climate Solutions
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