Carbon offsetting enables individuals and businesses to reduce the CO2 emissions they are responsible for by offsetting CO2 in another place. The CO2 an individual uses is their “carbon footprint”. You can balance out your carbon footprint by buying carbon offsets which fund projects which produce clean energy that displaces energy from fossil fuels. By funding these reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, you balance out, or offset, your own impact by an equivalent amount.

Special Services has decided to partner with TerraPass to implement a carbon offset program for our clients.

Launched in 2004, TerraPass is a leading consumer retailer and marketer of greenhouse gas reduction offsets. More than 350,000 TerraPasses have been sold to individuals, families, and businesses to balance out the global warming impact of their flying, driving and home energy use. Together, TerraPass customers have reduced more than 1 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, the primary cause of climate change.

How Does TerraPass Offset Carbon Emissions?

TerraPass works by funding clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction projects throughout the U.S. The company funds three types of leading edge carbon reduction projects:

  1. Clean energy produced by wind power
  2. Farm power, which makes good use of animal waste
  3. Landfill gas capture, which reduces the impacts of our own wastes

All projects are independently verified which means that each TerraPass offset is validated and verified; every greenhouse gas reduction project is put up against either Voluntary Carbon Standard or Climate Action Reserve.

How Can I Participate?

Participating in a carbon offset program sends a strong message about SSC’s values to our employees and clients.

Clients of SSC can participate in the program by purchasing offsets for a flight. A monetary amount can be placed on the CO2 emission of a flight by a calculation that takes many factors into account including flight time, aircraft type, fuel burn and more.

The current SSC charter fleet consists of three Cessna Citations and two Cirrus SR22’s. The cost per flight hour is $22.61 for the Citations and $2.27 for a Cirrus – very affordable!

The next time you book a flight, just let us know if you would like to participate, and we will make the purchase on your behalf.

Brad Searls

President of Marketing & Sales