2009 Certificate of Offset

(Click here for 2004-2008 certificates of offset)

This certificate describes the actions we take on your behalf when you purchase carbon offsets from TerraPass , including the amount and types of emission reductions. An independent auditor verifies these claims annually and prepares a report that we publish on our website.

Your purchase commits TerraPass to obtain and retire a specific quantity of carbon offsets. A carbon offset represents a verified reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, measured in pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). By retiring carbon offsets, TerraPass ensures the reductions are permanent. They can never be reused or resold.

The quantity of carbon offsets associated with your purchase is listed on your order confirmation. This offset represents a reduction in only CO2e emissions, not in other pollutants such as particulate matter, lead or nitrogen oxides. Details of our emission estimation methods are available on our website.

A TerraPass offset does not reduce CO2 emissions directly from your activities; rather, your purchase supports emission reduction projects elsewhere. The projects which make up our portfolio change over time. A current list of projects we are supporting is available on our website.

TerraPass CO2 reduction projects

Type Description Location
Farm power TerraPass funds agricultural projects in which farmers capture and destroy methane from animal manure decomposition. The captured methane is often used to generate renewable energy. TerraPass funds primarily North American projects. TerraPass has funded farm power projects in CA, IN, MI, MN, NY, WA and WI.
Renewable energy TerraPass funds renewable energy projects such as wind farms. Renewable energy projects reduce CO2 emissions by displacing conventional electricity in the region where the renewable energy is generated. TerraPass funds primarily North American projects.TerraPass has funded renewable energy projects in CA, KY, MN, NC, ND, NE, OK, SD, WA, and WY.
Waste gas capture TerraPass funds solid waste projects in which operators prevent or capture and destroy methane from decomposition. TerraPass may fund similar projects at wastewater treatment plants. TerraPass funds primarily North American projects. TerraPass has funded solid waste projects in AR, MD, ME, NC, NE, PA, and SD.

TerraPass business practices

  • Independent verification. All TerraPass projects are verified by an independent accredited auditor. All verifi cations include audits of project data, project monitoring equipment, and practices relative to the standard used.
  • Standards.Every project is conducted and verified according to a publically available carbon offset standard such as the Voluntary Carbon Standard 2007 and the Climate Action Reserve. TerraPass publishes the proposed offset standard for new projects during our comment period, and also on our project portfolio web page.
  • Project requirements. As we consider new projects, we publish the project name, location, and supporting details on our website and invite comments. Projects we decide to support are added to our portfolio web page on an ongoing basis. A full project portfolio, including amounts and vintages purchased, is published on our web site each year after our independent audit is complete. This offset will be fulfilled with verified emission reductions from vintage year 2009 or 2010, depending on your date of purchase.
  • Refund policy. If you are dissatisfied with your TerraPass purchase for any reason, you can return it within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.

If you have any questions, the best way to contact us is email, at info@terrapass.com. Customers may also call us at (415) 692-3411 or toll-free at (877) 210-9581.