2. CLIMATE - RELATED CERTIFICATIONS
In order to reduce, compensate GHG emissions and –for those who desire it-
to obtain a certification, the first step is the calculation of the quantities of
GHG released in the atmosphere. CO₂calculators are extremely numerous
and often deliver different results, according to different methodologies. For
more about these methodologies see the
UNEP guidelines on GHG calculator.
GHG Calculators and compensation
Outlined below are tools to evaluate the GHG emissions of different sectors
(food, housing transports, etc.). Some of these tools help in the design of
personalised plans to reduce emissions and buy carbon credits to compensate
for emissions that cannot be avoided:
- Atmosfair
Using an emissions calculator, atmosfair customers can figure out how
much greenhouse gas emissions are caused by their individual flights or
other activities. With their donation they enable atmosfair to run
projects in developing countries where these emissions will be saved.
- Azzero Co2 offers citizens, companies and public administration a
concrete approach in order to contribute to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and the risks implied by climate change. Azzero Co2 offers
the possibility to:
- Calculate the amount of greenhouse gas produced during each
single activity
- Find out the best solution to reduce those emissions through
direct and indirect action
- Neutralize the emissions by acquiring carbon credits on the
voluntary marke
- Bilan carbone® is a method developed by ADEME (France's
Environment and Energy Agency), which enables an exhaustive,
transparent and reliable calculation of all emissions linked to a given
business activity.
- Calcola il CO2: How much CO2 do you produce when you move?
How much CO2 can you spare if you chose to move in a sustainable way?
- ClimAct - Calculate the impact on global climate change.
- Climate Austria is a cooperation devoted to the voluntary offsetting of
CO2 emissions, either for individuals and businesses. This is achieved by
investing your voluntary contribution in climate protection projects,
primarily in Austria and, upon request, also abroad.
- COACH Carbone
- Monaco Carbon Offsetting: The Prince Albert II Foundation allows to
calculate CO2 and compensate travelling emissions according from their
sources, and to compensate by investing in projects run by the Foundation.
- “Myclimate”: label for climate neutrality
My climate offers tools to calculate the climate-impacting emissions
produced by activities and products and provides consultation services
regarding the optimal way to offset CO2 according to the principle of
"Avoid – Reduce – Offset". Every organization, company, home can thus
make tangible climate protection and reduce its emissions with a
myclimate carbon offset project. Myclimate carbon offset projects stand
out in their adherence to the strictest standards.
Using an emissions calculator, atmosfair customers can figure out how much greenhouse gas emissions are caused by their individual flights or other activities. With their donation they enable atmosfair to run projects in developing countries where these emissions will be saved.
GHG reduction and energy labels
Energy-efficiency labels are excellent instruments to reduce GHG emissions
and save energy, but they may also be the foundation of effective energy
policies at a larger scale. Described here are those labels with major
recognition and proven results in the Alpine region.
- The term Passive House refers to the rigorous, voluntary, Passivhaus
standard for energy efficiency in buildings. It results in ultra-low energy
buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling. The
standard is not confined only to residential properties: office buildings,
schools, kindergartens and commercial buildings have also been
constructed according to the standard. Passive design is not the
attachment or supplement of architectural design, but an integrated
design process with the architectural design. Although it is mostly
applied to new buildings, it has also been used for refurbishments
- Casa Clima – KlimaHaus
CasaClima-KlimaHaus is an energy certificate released by an
indipendent agency, granting a quality mark to the house regarding its
level of energy efficiency. The classification of the building is the result
of an analysis carried during the entire process of refurbishment or
construction of a building, including ist realization, and not only on the
base of project documentation. It was developed initially in the Bolzano
Province and has now been endorsed at national level in Italy.
- MINERGIE
MINERGIE® is a sustainability registered brand for new and refurbished
buildings. It is mutually supported by the Swiss Confederation, the
Swiss Cantons along with Trade and Industry. The Minergie certification
may also apply to products and services.
There is also a MINERGIE® official operator in France (Région Rhône-
Alpes)