The principle of CO2 compensation
CO2 compensation is becoming the accepted standard in the travel sector. The principle is simple: with a voluntary contribution to climate protection, private individuals, companies and, of course, associations like us support projects that reduce the amount of greenhouse gases equivalent to the gases produced by flying. The organisation atmosfair was founded in 2004 based on the results of a research project by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment. The projects work according to the rules of the Clean Development Mechanism fixed in the Kyoto Protocol and the ‘Gold Standard’ established by international environmental organisations. Independent organisations approved by the United Nations monitor the actual CO2 reduction of the projects.
Our contribution to climate protection in India
In India, we are promoting the spread of efficient wood gasifier stoves in the regions of West Bengal and Assam. On its website, atmosfair describes the positive effects of the project in keywords as follows:
- fewer respiratory diseases due to almost smoke-free cooking
- lower expenses on firewood
- flexible and faster cooking
- produced charcoal can be used or sold
- creation of value and local jobs
How we protect nature in Kenya
In Kenya, we are supporting the construction of biogas plants to supply energy to households in the Nairobi River Basin. The biogas plants are fuelled by cow dung and other agricultural waste. Atmosfair writes: ‘Many thousands of dairy farmers live in this area, most of whom keep two to three cows on their property. On average, these small scale farmers consume more than 10 kilograms of firewood per household every day. The wood is mainly used for cooking. This extremely high demand has a particularly negative impact on the surrounding forests. The overuse of natural wood resources therefore leads to a drastic shortage in the long run and has a negative impact on local biodiversity. As a by-product of the biogas fermentation an additional product rich in nutrients remains, which farmers can use as agricultural fertiliser.’