Finland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union has decided to offset the carbon emissions of travels related to the meetings for the presidency. This will include the IMPEL General Assembly meeting in Helsinki on 19 – 20 November 2019.
This remarkable direction is part of the Finnish new strategic agenda for Europe where building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe has been made a leading principle. One of the consequent priorities is to strenghten the EU’s position as a global leader in climate action.
As a result, Finland will offset emissions from air travel by funding projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously advance sustainable development goals. The four funded projects will have a measurable effect on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improve the health and welfare of local communities (in Honduras, Vietnam, Uganda and Laos).
The emissions will be offset through the purchase and cancellation of so-called Gold Standard certified emission reduction units (CER units). The units confirm to two different international quality standards and are generated by projects approved by the UN and non-governmental organisations. The total carbon offset is about EUR 500,000.
