Offset Carbon Emissions
The Earthship Biotecture store offsets the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the shipping of your order.
The Earthship Store uses industry models to determine the amount of CO2 that is released into the atmosphere for each shipment. We then pay that amount per shipment to offset those emissions.
The funds are used to purchase carbon credits, which offset your emissions through deforestation protection projects.
General calculation for your emissions
Data from the Earthship Biotecture website is combined with industry data and peer-reviewed models to determine how much CO2 shipments release into the environment. We then work with Pachama to determine the cost of offsetting those emissions.
Because our goal is to make sure that your CO2 shipping emissions are offset entirely, all values that are used in the data models are rounded up.
For each shipment that is delivered, we use the following data:
| Factor | Primary value | If the primary value isn't available |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Weight of the shipment | An average shipment weight |
| Distance | Distance traveled according to the tracking data | Straight-line distance between the origin and destination address, multiplied by an uncertainty factor |
| Type of transportation | Truck or plane carbon emissions, determined by speed and distance | Truck emissions |
When a tracking number from a supported carrier is supplied, we can accurately calculate the emissions used. If any data is inconsistent or missing, then Offset uses a reasonable maximum value instead.
For example, suppose we ship your package from Boston to New York. The straight-line distance is 305.94 km, but the shortest road route is around 350 km. If a tracking number is provided, then we use the exact distance traveled. However, if no tracking is provided, then 305.94 km would be used in the base calculation, and the resulting emissions would be multiplied by 1.5. This accounts for variations in the route, such as distances traveled from post offices and distribution centers, and the route taken by the courier to deliver the package to your door.
Limitations
- The models and estimates are not exact, but we overestimate your emissions to make sure that they are entirely offset.
- Only CO2 is offset. Other emissions, such as CH4, N2O, or GFG, are not offset. However, CO2 accounts for 95% of the climate impact from burning fossil fuels for transportation.
- Orders shipped by sea transportation don't generate the data required to accurately calculate emissions. Instead, industry-accepted alternative methods are used.
FAQ
What are carbon offsets?
A carbon offset reduces the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere so that increased greenhouse gases elsewhere have a net impact of 0. For example, suppose a truck releases 150 g of CO2 in one mile, and actions to preserve a forest remove 150 g of CO2 from the atmosphere. If you purchase one carbon offset that supports forest preservation for each mile that a truck travels, then the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere remain the same.
What project does this carbon offsetting currently fund?
We are currently funding the Jarí Para REDD+ Avoided Unplanned Deforestation project with Pachama. This is a Verified Carbon Standard certified project that will be verified by Pachama using their monitoring technology. The charges from carbon offset program goes towards protecting the existing forest, improving the biomass through better forest management practices, and verifying the progress of the project.