Companies Going Carbon Neutral

Companies across the globe are joining in against the fight of global warming by cutting carbon emissions. Here is this week's list of companies taking postive steps forward.

Technology

Dell Computers is embarking on a broad environmental initiative under which it plans to consume less energy and use more power from renewable sources in a bid to make its operations carbon neutral by the end of 2008.

Dell executives say the effort will focus mostly on power consumption at Dell-owned and leased buildings around the world. For starters, employees' computers will be turned off at night and during long periods of inactivity, says Dane Parker, Dell's director of global environmental health and safety programs. The company estimates these efforts will save $1.8 million per year in power costs and cut annual carbon dioxide emissions by 8,500 tons—about the same amount of CO2 as 1,400 American cars spew in a year.

However, while certainly a step in the right direction, 8,500 tons amounts to just 2.2% of Dell's annual CO2 emissions, according to the latest data released by The Carbon Disclosure Project.

Airlines

Harbour Air Ltd. has charted a historical course with plans to become the first airline in North America -- and only the second worldwide -- to be completely carbon neutral by the end of the year.

Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, says it plans to launch a carbon credit program at the end of September to offset the pollution emitted by its aircraft. Travellers will be offered the option to purchase carbon credits to offset their trip’s emissions when buying tickets. This is similar to schemes already in place by British Airways and Scandinavian Airlines.

Australian Politics

The Democrats and Greens have pledged to run "carbon neutral" campaigns, signing up with carbon offsetting company Climate Friendly — which donates 5 per cent of its sales to environment group WWF Australia — to cover their main campaign emissions, largely from candidates' flights and car travel.

Us Politics

Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Chris Dodd all claim to be fully offsetting their campaigns, mostly with renewable energy. That decision is costing them a few thousand dollars a month, in campaigns worth many millions.

Barack Obama has said he is paying extra to offset his charter flights — racking up an average of 26,360 kilometres a month on a private plane since February — while Republican John McCain is using commercial flights when possible.

Home Building - UK

Millwood Designer Homes is now taking the campaign to tackle climate change further with the launch of its first carbon neutral development, Coppice Mews in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

In addition to their carbon neutral status, all homes at Coppice Mews will enjoy meticulous attention to detail and superior specification. The interiors boast fully fitted designer kitchens with the latest appliances and truly sumptuous bathrooms with exquisite white suites that are complemented by chrome fittings.

British Columbia - Communities

More than 60 communities pledged yesterday at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention to reduce as much greenhouse-gas emissions as they emit by 2012.

Communities will each calculate their greenhouse-gas emissions, then reduce them through buying hybrid vehicles, using alternative energy, planting trees and buying carbon offsets.

Vancouver also won the $100,000 top prize in the first-ever Green City Awards for its EcoDensity plan and community gardens.