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Olas Perú: The World’s First Carbon Neutral Surf School
On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the renowned surf school Olas Perú made history by becoming the first surf school in the world to receive Carbon
Mato Grosso do Sul Recognized Among Top 3 in Brazil’s Best ESG Practices for Sustainable Tourism
Green Initiative congratulates Mato Grosso do Sul for earning a Top 3 position in Embratur’s “Best ESG Practices in Brazilian Destinations” contest, showcasing their sustainable
Brazil Adopts a Regulated Carbon Market: A Milestone in Climate Action and Sustainability
In a historic environmental policy move, Brazil enacted Law No. 15,042, dated December 11, 2024, establishing the Brazilian System for Trading Greenhouse Gas Emissions (SBCE).
The Leadership Behind Machu Picchu’s Carbon Neutral Success: A Model for Sustainable Tourism
Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most iconic tourist destinations, has become a global leader in sustainability. Thanks to the visionary leadership of Mayor Elvis
Grupo Rio da Prata Wins Prestigious 2024 Eco Amcham Award for Sustainability Leadership
A Commitment to Sustainability and Regenerative Tourism Earns Grupo Rio da Prata the Eco Amcham Award in the Products and Services Category Grupo Rio da
Understanding IFRS S: Insights from Karen Wantland – “Las NIIFs (con S al Final)”
This article draws directly from the insightful post “Las NIIFs (con S al Final),” authored by the expert Karen Wantland at Kwantland. Her analysis offers
Reducing the Carbon Footprint: The Impact and Leadership of the Senac Casa do Comércio School Restaurant
In Salvador, Bahia – Brazil, the Senac Casa do Comércio School Restaurant, a benchmark National Service for Commercial Learning (Senac) benchmark project, is setting an
Green Initiative and Machu Picchu: A Winning Partnership for Climate and Nature Sustainability through Regenerative Tourism
In 2024, Green Initiative proudly received the prestigious title of World’s Leading Sustainable Organisation 2024 at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, largely due
Bio Amayu’s Climate Positive Journey: AJE Group Redefining Sustainable Beverages in 2024
Bio Amayu, a brand developed by the renowned AJE Group, is setting new standards in sustainability and innovation within the beverage industry. In 2022, Bio
How COP29 is Transforming Tourism, Transport, and Urbanization for a Climate and Nature Positive Future
On November 20, 2024, COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, marked a transformative moment in global climate action by dedicating a day to critical sectors shaping our
Green Initiative: Finalist for the UN Tourism Green Projects Challenge Awards | Leading Sustainable Tourism and Climate and Nature Positive Action
From November 13th to 16th, 2024, the vibrant city of Cartagena, Colombia, hosted the 122nd Executive Council Meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization
Green Initiative Showcases Machu Picchu as a Model for Carbon Neutral and Regenerative Tourism at COP16
During the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), Green Initiative presented the case of Machu Picchu as
Green Initiative and Swiss Impact Fund Alphamundi Join Forces to Drive Climate Mitigation Finance
As the world faces escalating climate challenges, the need for innovative financial solutions to support climate mitigation has never been more urgent. In response, Green
Join Us at COP 16: Machu Picchu – A Carbon Neutral and Regenerative Tourism Destination
At this year’s COP 16, we are excited to invite you to a key side event, organized by Green Initiative, focusing on how one of
Green Initiative’s Climate and Nature Positive Sustainability Work Featured in One Planet Network’s Tools and Resources: A Major Step for Global Climate Action
In a powerful endorsement of our efforts to drive climate and nature positive sustainability in tourism, Green Initiative has been prominently featured in the One
Green Initiative at the One Planet Network Forum 2024
In September, Green Initiative participated in the One Planet Network Forum 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, participating in the panel “Tourism Reimagined: Towards Circular, Low
Green Initiative Selected as Finalist in the Green Projects Innovation Challenge: Pioneering a New Era of Sustainable Tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean
We are thrilled to announce that Green Initiative has been selected as a finalist in the Green Projects Innovation Challenge—a groundbreaking effort led by UN
Catastrophic Decline in Global Wildlife Populations: A System in Crisis
WWF’s flagship Living Planet Report details sharp declines in monitored wildlife populations with the steepest drops recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean (95%), Africa
Plastic Pollution In The Brazilian Coast Study: Perceptions From Hotel Managers On The Consumption Of Single-Use Plastic Disposals
Introduction Plastic pollution is a growing global concern, representing about 12% of all waste worldwide, with production rapidly increasing. By 2019, plastic production reached 396
Welcome Érico Mendonça: A Pioneer and Visionary in Sustainable Tourism
We are thrilled to welcome Érico Mendonça, a visionary leader in Brazilian tourism, to our community. With over 35 years of experience shaping the tourism
A. Hartrodt Perú Strengthens Position as a Leading Sustainable Logistics Provider with Carbon Neutral Certification
A. Hartrodt Perú, a key player in the country’s logistics sector, continues solidifying its position by offering comprehensive and innovative transportation and supply chain solutions.
Celebrating World Tourism Day with a Global Milestone: Green Initiative Wins as World’s Leading Sustainable Organisation
On this World Tourism Day, Green Initiative is honored to share a significant achievement: winning as the World’s Leading Sustainable Organisation at the 2024 World
What Are Green Bonds and Why Are Prices So Low?
In recent years, green bonds have become a powerful financial instrument, playing a key role in addressing the global challenge of climate change and funding
How Destinations Can Become Climate Certified and Why It Matters
In today’s climate-conscious world, destinations seeking to be Climate Certified must follow a structured process, provided by Green Initiative. The certifications align them with international
We Answer Your Questions
General Questions
Why choose Green Initiative?
At Green Initiative we help our clients mobilize resources for climate financing, in addition to complying with climate regulations for international trade, improving the efficiency of their operations, reducing costs and adding value to their products and services, connecting them with the París Climate Agreement, and with the United Nations Sustainable Goals.
At the Green Initiative we have the necessary know-how to enable our clients to lead this transformation through actions that generate positive impacts for their organizations, as well as for the planet.
- we support your business full cycle of climate action, going beyond.
- science-based methodologies and tools.
- experience in various industries and countries.
- we are accredited as a support resource for United Nations Climate Change, GCOM, CDP, OnePlanet, Global Footprint Network, and UN Decade for Ecosystems Restoration.
- we provide a cost effective value proposition.
What is a Climate Certification?
A Climate Certification is a formal endorsement of your organization’s work in progress and commitment to shift towards a low carbon emissions economy achieving net zero emissions by 2050 or before.
Green Initiative Climate Certifications offer direct benefits to increase your business competitiveness and sustainability performance, among which the following stand out:
- climate leadership
- climate action at the core of the business
- mobilize climate financing (loans and grants)
- compliance with international climate trade standards
- support innovation through climate-friendly products and services.
- aligns your business to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
What is the difference between Carbon Neutral and Climate Positive certifications?
Green Initiative Carbon Neutral Certification A carbon neutral certification demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to decarbonisation, and the neutralisation of remaining impact through the support of environmental projects.
- Carbon Neutral Certified demonstrates that your business is committed to decarbonisation through clear science based mitigation targets, and has conducted the off-setting of remaining impact purchasing carbon credits that reduce and capture greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere (such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and forest conservation projects).
- Climate Positive Certified means that your business climate action has gone beyond neutrality, actually creating environmental and climate benefits by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through actions to protect, sustainably manage, and/or restore ecosystems.
Can I Offset my Business Emissions by Planting Trees?
At Green Initiative, we provide funding for two complementary types of climate change mitigation solutions: one is planting native trees for ecosystems restoration, and the other is supporting natural and technology driven solutions through carbon credits.
Recently planted trees need to be nurtured and protected for years to provide environmental services such as carbon sinking. Planting a tree is a matter of having empathy with life on earth. Today, more than ever, we need to connect with global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss, and planting trees, under the scope of ecosystem restoration, provides a fundamental tool for reverting the natural climate crisis we are facing.
To conduct the carbon off-setting of your business the most consist approach to do so is through carbon credits.
What is a Carbon Credit?
Certificate for Emission Reduction, Certified Carbon Offset, or simply Carbon Credit is a certificate generated by an accountable body that represents reducing or removing one ton of CO2 from the atmosphere.
These certificates aim to monetize the climate benefits embedded in specific projects and provide them with an additional revenue stream.
A Carbon Credit enables you to offset your business’s unavoidable carbon emissions by funding projects worldwide that avoid, reduce or capture greenhouse gases. A Carbon Credit is a part of an international mechanism endorsed by the United Nations that allows your business to claim carbon neutrality.
How can your Business Prove Results?
There are different levels for climate change mitigation results. Within your business, you should prove impact by monitoring your Key Climate Performance Indicators. You should be able to do so simply by conducting your carbon footprint assessment annually using Green Initiative Carbon Management Tool.
From a carbon footprint offsetting perspective, your business will prove to have compensated its carbon emissions through the provision of a Carbon Compensation Certificate. This certificate provides complete detailed information of the source (VERRA, Gold Standard, or CDM), type of credits (carbon reduction, avoidance, siking, or removal), and the specific market ID number of the credits used by your business to claim carbon neutrality.
Monitoring tree planting for ecosystems restoration is done by combining on the ground supervision with high-precision satellite images. Green Initiative provides one of the complete monitoring services available, effectively comparing the baseline situation with restoration performance.
We only work with tree-planting partners who plant trees responsibly. In addition, our partners are regularly audited by third parties, and publish internal reports for us with updates and data from our planting sites. Check out this performance monitoring report for our Costa Rica tree planting project.
Climate Positive Certified
What is Climate Positive Certification?
Climate Positive Certification is a program offered by Green Initiative that certifies businesses and organizations as being climate positive, meaning they have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint and are actively working to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than they produce.
What are the benefits of a Climate Positive Certification?
Green Initiative Climate Positive Certification can help businesses and organizations innovate in climate-smart products and services, improve efficiency, demonstrate their commitment to climate-action, and attract environmentally conscious customers and partners.
What types of businesses or organizations are eligible for a Climate Positive Certification?
Any business or organization that is committed to consistent science-based climate-action can apply for Green Initiative Climate Positive Certification. This includes small businesses, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies.
What is the cost of a Climate Positive Certification?
The cost of Green Initiative Climate Positive Certification varies depending on the size and complexity of the business or organization, as well as the scope of the certification. Green Initiative offers a range of certification options to fit different needs and budgets.
Carbon Neutral Certified
What is a Carbon Neutral Certification?
Climate Neutral Certification is a certification offered by Green Initiative that recognizes organizations and businesses that have complied with our full climate certification cycle. This means that they have measure, set targets, mitigate and are on track to net-zero emissions.
Why should I get Carbon Neutral Certified?
Carbon Neutral Certification demonstrates your commitment to climate leadership and your consistent efforts to reduce your organization’s impact on the environment. It also provides a clear and credible way for you to communicate your climate-action commitment to customers, stakeholders, and the public.
What types of organizations can get certified?
Any organization or business that wants to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint can get Carbon Neutral Certified by Green Initiative. This includes small and large businesses, nonprofits, government organizations, and more. Companies who are certified as ESG (Environmental and Social Governance), can definitely benefit from Green Initiative climate certifications.
What is a carbon offset?
A carbon offset is a way to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions by funding a project that reduces or removes emissions somewhere else. Carbon offsets are typically sold in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) and can come from a variety of projects, such as renewable energy, forestry, and methane capture. Learn more about Green Initiative Climate Projects here: https://greeninitiative.eco/projects/
What types of emissions can be offset?
All types of greenhouse gas emissions can be offset, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). However, it’s important to note that the best approach is always to reduce emissions as much as possible before relying on offsets to mitigate any remaining emissions. Through Green Initiative advisory services, we help our clients to start their journey to climate-action.
Carbon Measured Certified
What is a Carbon Measured Certification?
Carbon Measured Certification is a certification offered by Green Initiative that recognizes organizations and businesses that have measured their greenhouse gas emissions and have a plan in place to reduce their carbon footprint.
Why should I get Carbon Measured Certified?
Carbon Measured Certification demonstrates your commitment to climate-action and your efforts to understand and reduce your organization’s impact on the environment. It also provides a clear and credible way for you to communicate your climate commitment to customers, stakeholders, and the public.
What types of organizations can get certified with Green Initiative?
Any organization or business that wants to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint can get Carbon Measured Certified with Green Initiative. This includes small and large businesses, nonprofits, government organizations, and more.
What other services does the Green Initiative offer?
Green Initiative offers advisory and climate certification services, including Climate Positive and Carbon Neutral Certification, which certifies organizations that are committed to climate-leadership applying international best practices, which are endorsed by the United Nations. Green Initiative also has Nature Positive and Carbon Offsetting Solutions to help organizations reduce their environmental impact and achieve their sustainability goals.
Nature Positive Action
What is Nature Positive Action?
Nature Positive Action refers to actions taken by organizations, businesses, and individuals to restore, protect, and enhance nature in order to achieve a net positive impact on the environment. Green Initiative offers Nature Positive Action services to help businesses and organizations achieve their sustainability goals through biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration projects.
Why is Nature Positive Action important?
Nature Positive Action is important because it helps to address the urgent global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. By restoring and enhancing nature, we can help to mitigate the impacts of climate change, protect biodiversity, and support the long-term health and well-being of ecosystems and communities. Green Initiative’s Nature Positive Action services help organizations and businesses contribute to these efforts.
What are some examples of Nature Positive Action?
Examples of Nature Positive Action include:
- Planting trees and other vegetation to sequester carbon, restore degraded land, and provide habitat for wildlife. Green Initiative’s Reforestation and Habitat Restoration services support these types of projects.
- Supporting conservation efforts and protected areas to preserve biodiversity. Green Initiative’s Biodiversity Conservation services help businesses and organizations support these types of projects.
- Creating green spaces in urban areas to improve air and water quality and enhance community well-being. Green Initiative’s Urban Greening services support these types of projects.
What are the benefits of Nature Positive Action?
The benefits of Nature Positive Action include:
- Helping to mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health
Improving air and water quality - Enhancing community well-being and quality of life
- Providing economic benefits through sustainable resource use and ecotourism
Green Initiative’s services help businesses to achieve these benefits by developing and implementing strategies to achieve environmental sustainability and Nature Positive Action.
Carbon Offsetting
What is Carbon Offsetting?
Carbon offsetting is the practice of balancing out carbon emissions by funding projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. Carbon offsetting can be used to compensate for emissions that cannot be avoided, such as air travel or shipping. Green Initiative offers carbon offsetting services to help businesses and individuals reduce their carbon footprint and achieve environmental sustainability.
What types of Carbon Offsetting projects does the Green Initiative support?
Green Initiative supports a range of high-quality carbon offset projects, including:
- Renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar power
- Energy efficiency upgrades, such as building retrofits and efficient appliances
- Forest conservation and reforestation projects
- Methane capture from landfills and livestock operations
All of Green Initiative’s carbon offset projects are verified to international standards, such as the United Nations.