Is it possible to be "carbon positive"?
It is our policy to plant a tree for every poster we sell. The tree absorbs much more carbon in its initial growing season than the emissions caused by production and transportation of a poster – the tree absorbs approximately 22 pounds whereas production and transportation of one poster emit around 0,02 pounds.
Never rest on your laurels
Based on this we have claimed to be ”carbon negative” since we emit less carbon than the planted trees absorb. However, recently we learned that this business practice is called ”carbon positive”. We have used the word ”negative” because we spare the climate for carbon, whereas ”carbon positive” signals a positive climate balance.
But is it really possible to be ”carbon positive”? We claim it to be possible as long as these two criteria are met:
1) It should never be a means of absolution – planting trees or supporting renewable energy indirectly should never be a way to compensate for lack of sustainability in ones own production processes. 2) It has to be actual a- or reforestation - additionally to what is replanted through certification councils (that we are already using). This is the only way to ensure net carbon sequestering globally (then other programs and nation states have to ensure conservation of existing forests).
Green Footsteps (thanks to Calvin College)
To live up to the first criteria we have sought the most sustainable solution for the paper production and printing. This has required substantial research and has taken us through a challenging decision making process since it quite impossible to optimize all environmental parameters at the same time.
To live up to the second criteria we collaborate with the international non-profit organisation Plant-for-the-Planet that has been selected by UN to be in charge of their ”Billion Tree Campaign”. This ensures that the tree planting projects are net additive, locally engaging and that they include an important educational aspect. You can read more about Plant-for-the-Planet here.
Additionally, it is important not to get lulled into complacency. That is why we are carefully considering the best solutions for future posters again. Our focus is still climate. Therefore, we constantly seek to minimize our direct and indirect overall carbon footprint as well as causing as low indirect consumption of fossil fuels as possible. This is the reason we have decided to partly work with FSC certified paper since recycled paper (in Europe at least) involves a higher footprint through use of fossil fuels and higher amounts of fresh water.
Nevertheless, in the future we will be using the expression ”carbon positive”.
Planting a tree for every poster sold