The Research Triangle Park, carbon balanced by TerraPass

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Carbon projects

This badge has expired. The Research Triangle Park has not sponsored a carbon reduction in the current year.

Carbon dioxide emissions, the principal cause of global warming, are an inevitable consequence of energy use. Every time an individual or organization uses electricity for lighting, fuel for transport, etc., additional carbon emissions are released into the atmosphere.

The Research Triangle Park has partnered with TerraPass to sponsor clean energy and carbon reduction projects that result in a verified, measurable reduction in carbon emissions.

The Research Triangle Park emissions reductions

2009: 227 metric tons of CO2 reduced

About The Research Triangle Park

The Research Triangle Park
One of the oldest and largest science parks in North America, The Research Triangle Park (RTP) is a 7,000 acre development that is home to more than 170 companies employing over 42,000 full-time knowledge workers. Located at the core of the Raleigh-Durham metropolitan region of North Carolina, RTP is a globally prominent high-technology research and development center that serves as an economic driver for the region and state. RTP is home to a broad spectrum of companies – from Fortune 100 multinational research and development operations, to university spin-outs and start-up operations and a number of U.S. federal agencies.

XXVI IASP World Conference on Science & Technology Parks
The Research Triangle Park (RTP) hosted the XXVI International Association of Science Parks (IASP) World Conference at the Raleigh Convention Center in June 2009. As part of an effort to make the event the first carbon neutral conference in the international science park industry, RTP partnered with TerraPass to sponsor clean energy and carbon reduction projects. Conference delegates were offered the opportunity to participate in this effort by selecting “Green Delegate” status as part of their registration. In total, there were 33 “Green Delegates” from 11 countries who contributed financially to this effort to offset the carbon emissions of the conference.

The Research Triangle Park Headquarters
The two main venues of the XXVI IASP World Conference – the Raleigh Convention Center and The Research Triangle Park Headquarters – are both LEED® registered buildings. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)® was created by the U.S. Green Building Council and is the leading rating system for sustainable green buildings. The Research Triangle Park Headquarters opened in January 2008 and preservation of the environment and sustainable design were top priorities from concept to completion. Sustainability was integral to every aspect of the RTP Headquarters and the building was awarded LEED® Silver by the U.S. Green Building Council in September 2008.

RTP Environmental & Sustainability Efforts
The Research Triangle Park supports and encourages environmental best practices and sustainability through its SmartCommute@rtp and Environment@rtp programs.

SmartCommute@rtp is a Transportation Management Association in RTP whose mission is to address common transportation concerns, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality. SmartCommute@rtp works with RTP employers and employees, area transit providers, local metropolitan planning organizations, public officials, and local air quality, bike/pedestrian, and related environmental groups to provide information on sustainable transportation options and opportunities. www.smartcommute.org

Environment@rtp was created to address environmental issues in RTP in the areas of air, water, waste and wildlife habitat management. The Research Triangle Park is a Wildlife and Industry Together (W.A.I.T.) certified site. The wildlife program includes pedestrian trails, a tree identification trail, butterfly gardens and lunchtime nature hikes. The Environment@rtp committee meets regularly with guest speakers presenting on a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues including: water conservation, low impact development, food diversion, and a Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory and Reduction Plan (Durham County). The Environment@rtp committee also sponsors a biannual Electronics Recycling Drive that has collected over 175 tons of recyclable electronics since the fall of 2004. www.environmentrtp.org

http://www.rtp.org

See a complete list of TerraPass partners.

The Research Triangle Park has balanced emissions from these sources:

Site offset

Energy use in buildings, including electricity, natural gas, propane, and heating oil.

Travel offset

Employee travel, including flights and train trips.

About the TerraPass Badge Program

Organizations that purchase carbon offsets through TerraPass are eligible to become a TerraPass Badge Partner. Badges come in three levels, indicating the amount of carbon emissions reduced.

A White Badge signifies a reduction of up to 200 metric tons of carbon emissions. A Blue Badge indicates a reduction of between 200 and 1,000 metric tons of carbon emissions. A Green Badge indicates a reduction of over 1,000 metric tons of carbon emissions.

Badge Level is determined by the amount of carbon reductions sponsored within the past 365 days. Reductions that took place more than 365 days ago do not count toward Badge eligibility.

TerraPass provides tools and consultations to help partners estimate their carbon footprint, but TerraPass does not certify the results of these calculations. All energy use figures are self-reported by Badge Partners, and partners are not required to balance 100% of their emissions to be eligible for the TerraPass Badge program.