What is a Carbon Credit? Why a Voluntary Carbon Unit (VCU)? How do you support the environment by purchasing Carbon Credits?

There are 2 ways to reduce carbon from the atmosphere.

A carbon credit represents a tonne of emissions avoided by using new technologies to get the job done. Planting trees helps remove carbon already accumulated in the atmosphere. As plants grow they absorb and store carbon. A combination of both methods is needed to solve the world’s carbon problem.

What is a carbon credit?

> 1 carbon credit offsets 1 tonne of CO2 emission
> Carbon credits are generated when a project can verify that a specific amount of carbon has been reduced through new methods and technologies
> A carbon credit counts as a true offset only when it is formally retired and cannot be resold

What is a Voluntary Carbon Unit?

> A VCU is a credit which has been verified through an accredited Carbon Standard
> VCUs are accepted by the Australian Government’s National Carbon Offset Standard

What sort of VCU does Trees For Life use?

> Trees For Life uses VCUs generated through low impact small scale renewable energy projects such as run of river hydro or wind farms.

How do I know my VCU is really bought and retired?

> Each VCU has its unique serial number as an identification which can be found on your certificate
> We retire the VCUs under our name on your behalf
> You can find the retired VCU against your gift recipient’s name in the public areas of certified registries Markit Environmental Registry