Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a carbon offset?
A “carbon offset” is an emission reduction credit from a project that results in less carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases emitted in the atmosphere than would otherwise occur. There are various kinds of offset projects such as tree planting or reforestation, building retrofits (i.e. installing more efficient heating/cooling systems) and renewable energy projects such as ground source heat pumps or wind power. The common goal of all such projects is to reduce fossil fuel usage, which in turn, eliminates harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
How is offsetting my CO2 going to help reduce the threat of climate change?
Climate change is the most serious threat facing humankind. All of us need to do everything we can to reduce our emissions; what remains should be offset to minimize our impact on climate change.
Your offsetting reduces climate change by:
- Reducing amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere which would not happen without your contribution.
- Providing funds for renewable energy projects and efficient appliances
- Raising awareness of the impact that our lifestyles have on the climate
What are high quality carbon offset projects?
Many types of activities can generate carbon offsets. However, not all projects result in credible reductions in greenhouse gases and some cause other environmental and socio-economical problems. High quality offset projects can reduce emissions while providing sustainability benefits. Purchasing high-quality carbon offsets such as those from renewable energy & energy-efficiency projects helps make these projects economically competitive with fossil fuels, create jobs and know-how for the transition to a sustainable energy economy.
Why a CoolDrivePass?
CoolDrivePass is a cost effective, simple and efficient method to reduce the negative impacts of driving on the climate. Every purchase of a CoolDrivePass not only plays a role in fighting global warming by preventing and removing greenhouse gas emissions from the air but also contributes to local sustainable development in the projects surroundings.
Until recently not many voluntary options, if any, existed to take effective action. Now CoolDrivePass is part of the new generation of initiatives that provides a way to be climate friendly through projects with strong sustainability benefits such as reduction of air pollution, creating employment, and economical gains for low income families.
We are committed to providing sustainable, efficient and cost effective solutions to the growing community of people who actively contribute to sustainability by taking responsibility for their impacts.
How do you use my money? How much is your overhead?
By purchasing a CoolDrivePass you are paying to reduce the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide your car emits each year from the atmosphere. This is done through investment in high quality local and international carbon offset projects. The bulk of your purchase, roughly 70%, goes directly to the development of emission reduction projects. The balance covers the profit and costs to run CoolDrivePass including but not limited to administration, website maintenance, ecommerce service, stickers, printing, and postage. We predict a 10-15% range for our profit margin.
What kind of projects do you invest in?
We are constantly seeking out high quality projects to support or develop.
Our technology projects invest in clean renewable energy such as Ground source Heat Pumps, Run of River Hydro, and Bio-Gas or in energy efficiency such as retrofits or efficient lighting and cooking stoves. We invest in both Local and international projects that not only remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, but also enhance ecosystems and provide wider benefits to the people living around them. Each of these projects is part of a balanced portfolio to reduce the equivalent of the carbon dioxide emitted from our customer's driving.
For more information see our projects page.
Do you use tree planting to offset?
Planting trees, as a form of carbon sequestration, cannot be seen as a solution to climate change when taken in isolation. Climate change needs to be addressed by reducing emissions through developing renewable fuel sources or boosting efficiency, rather than by focusing on sequestration.
Nevertheless, approximately 20% of global emissions each year are from deforestation and forest fires. Less than 20% of our current annual CO2 liabilities are in reforestation. This is
expected to fall to less than 10% of our next year's portfolio.
Currently the only "carbon sequestration" project that we invest in is a rainforest restoration project in Uganda. For this project CO2 sequestration rates are calculated by SGS Forestry and the project has attained certification from the Forest Stewardship Council. Progress is monitored by FACE Foundation. Future investments will only be on "carbon reduction" projects.
Our scientists regularly review the scientific consensus on issues directly affecting our initiative.
What if I don't want to pay online?
No problem!
You can always mail your check to:
cooldrivepass
PO BOX 47031
15-555 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver BC V5Z 3X0
Canada
Please remember to add 6% GST if you live in Canada.
Will my automobile be emitting less pollutants with the purchase of a CoolDrivePass ?
No!
CoolDrivePass provides a cost effective way for individuals to take direct action toward improving the environment by investing in the development of new renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. This is a market based initiative to allow individuals to take direct action toward improving their environment. By purchasing a CoolDrivePass you are paying for “removing” the amount of carbon dioxide your car emits each year from the atmosphere. This is done through investment in high quality local and international carbon offset projects. Therefore the actual emission output of your automobile remains the same and no physical modifications are made to your vehicle.
Driving less by walking, cycling, using public transit, and carpooling, and more efficient driving and properly inflating your tires can reduce carbon and other pollutant emissions of your automobile. The less fossil fuel you burn, the less carbon dioxide and pollutants you emit.
How can this be so inexpensive?
CoolDrivePass aggregates the small purchases of all its members. This gives us considerable financial power. The key concept behind CoolDrivePass is to help tip the balance to make clean energy projects cost effective, reducing carbon dioxide emissions with minimal investment while meeting our additionality requirements.
For example, let's take an energy intensive low income housing project. Installing Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP: a renewable energy technology that utilizes heat from the earth’s core through wells and heat pumps) and energy retrofits could provide a significant reduction in the energy bill of its tenants. Replacing natural gas used for boilers and electricity use will result in a lot less carbon dioxide being put into the atmosphere. Normally such projects need to meet a minimum payback period requirement for investors to provide funding. If this minimum is not met the projects will not be implemented.
This is where the funds from your CoolDrivePass purchase comes in, providing the additional money needed to shorten the payback period of the GSHP and energy retrofit projects to meet the investors’ requirements. After the much needed push from CoolDrivePass funds, the project now makes good economic sense for investors and can be fully funded and proceed.
By combining your funds with those of other CoolDrivePass customers, and investing your funds in projects like this, CoolDrivePass uses it’s financial leverage to drives projects forward, past their tipping point of economical feasibility. CoolDrivePass pools the purchases of its members to make projects happen that would not have gone ahead otherwise.
What is included in my CoolKit?
By purchasing a CoolDrivePass, you’ll get all of the following:
The good feeling of taking action towards mitigating a serious environmental problem
A certificate verifying the amount of carbon dioxide your purchase has reduced from the atmosphere and showing that you're a part of a growing community of people who actively contribute to sustainability by taking responsibility for their actions
The hip CoolDrivePass “climate friendly auto” window sticker
The popular CoolDrivePass logo window stickers
Display the stickers to show the world that you’re committed to reduce the environmental impacts of your driving, and help spread the word!
Will I have problems removing the stickers?
No!
Our stickers are printed on Ultra Cling Film which works like typical static cling stickers (stickers that will cling to flat or smooth substrate without the use of an adhesive) but has a new generation micro spear coating that clings to more types of substrates than static cling. They can easily be removed.
Is CoolDrivePass a permit to pollute?
Definitely not!
CoolDrivePass is one way individuals can actively contribute to sustainability by taking responsibility for their impacts. It should be considered together with emissions reduction measures and does not replace them. Examples of such measures are driving less by walking, cycling, using public transit, and carpooling, only flying when necessary, energy efficient appliances, and in general a less carbon intensive lifestyle. The less fossil fuel we burn, the less carbon dioxide and pollutants we emit.
Why not all of us just drive hybrid vehicles?
Hybrids have reduced greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions in comparison to conventional vehicles and are in harmony with our goal of allowing individuals to take responsibility for their impacts on the environment. However even hybrids emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere on average about 2 tonnes per year and all hybrids cost a few thousand dollars more than a conventional car with similar features and are not yet a viable option for everyone. In general, the greater fuel efficiency of a hybrid driven 20,000 km per year saves the owner on fuel cost, time taken up by re-fuelling, and emits less pollutants. Yet, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, once we count up all those savings each ton of CO2 saved by the hybrid costs about $150 more than a CoolDrivePass.
For those of us who can afford them, hybrids along with a CoolDrivePass can be an important step towards our commitment to combat global warming. A CoolDrivePass is for everyone, independent of what they drive, it’s especially a great match together with Hybrids
Can I purchase CoolDrivePass if I live outside Canada?
Certainly!
Global warming is a worldwide problem and its impacts are not limited within geographical boundaries. The solution lies with with far-reaching impacts. We highly appreciate good intentions from anywhere in the world and congratulate you on your taking action towards a noble cause. You can purchase a CoolDrivePass online with your credit card, no matter where you live.
Do I still have to take my car in for emissions testing?
Yes! If emission testing is mandatory in your jurisdiction you will still have to do it.
CoolDrivePass does not reduce the emissions that come directly from your vehicle.
Can I deduct my CoolDrivePass purchase from my taxes?
No, however a CoolDrivePass is so inexpensive that even if it was tax deductible the amount would have been insignificant.
Is driving my car the only activity I need to be concerned about?
Many of our activities release greenhouse gasses: heating our homes, using electricity, and flying airplanes are all major sources of emissions. Flying, while a relatively infrequent activity for many of us, leads to significant emissions. A return visit to Paris from Vancouver emits more than 2 tonnes of CO2 per passenger - the same as driving a hybrid car for a year. Click here for more information on how to offset your flight emissions.
Is CoolDrivePass a not-for-profit initiative?
No.
We are a socially driven team and our main goal has always been providing cost effective and high quality greenhouse gas management solutions. Deciding on the structure of CoolDrivePass has been the center of many brainstorming sessions for a long time. We finally came to the conclusion that it is best to adapt similar successful for-profit models to have easier access to financing for our initial marketing and PR programs. Our social objective is to contribute the most to fighting global warming and helping sustainable development in the local communities surrounding our projects. We work hard and efficiently to keep our administration and running costs at a minimum to allow a large part of the purchases to go directly to the projects. We are proud that we invest more than 70% of the funds received directly in projects. This is significantly more than what similar for-profit and not-for-profit organizations are allocating to their projects as some spend as low as 25% on their projects.
We predict a 10% -15% range for our profit margin.
How does buying a CoolDrivePass contribute to a healthy local environment?
Climate change is a global issue, and as a global issue, reductions of greenhouse gas emissions all over the world contribute to the movement to reduce the effects of climate change. CoolDrivePass subscribers are contributing towards this movement.
What does the CoolDrivePass look like? How big is it?
The CoolDrivePass is a 9.5cmX5.5 cm sticker printed on ultra cling material. This is how it looks like:
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