The Demand for Carbon Offsets in the United States: A Snapshot of U.S. Buyers on the Global Voluntary and California Compliance Markets

While the supply-side of carbon markets is relatively well documented, understanding of demand is more elusive. This report aims to shed light on the demand for carbon offsets in the United States, both among companies purchasing offsets voluntarily and California entities purchasing offsets as part of their compliance obligations under the new greenhouse gas regulation in the state. Our research focuses on three key areas of inquiry: (1) Motivations: Why are firms choosing to purchase carbon offsets? (2) Processes: How are firms navigating the carbon markets? What decision-making processes are firms using when purchasing offsets? What barriers and challenges are firms facing? (3) Preferences: What preferences do buyers exhibit when purchasing offsets? What factors do firms consider when investing in an offset project or portfolio of projects? To answer these questions, we surveyed compliance companies in California, did case studies of five major companies purchasing offsets on the voluntary market, and interviewed dozens of buyers and other market participants. On the voluntary side, we found that companies were motivated largely by corporate social responsibility and public relations. Although each company had different goals for their offsetting program, they all reaped benefits in terms of both environmental sustainability and improved branding. The case studies of Ford, Macmillan, Interface, General Motors, and British Petroleum illustrate several different approaches toward offsetting. In terms of process, we found that most voluntary buyers purchase offsets as part of larger sustainability efforts and spend considerable time and effort quantifying their emissions and defining program goals. They then work with NGOs, consultants, and other advisors to build their offset strategies accordingly. Lastly, in terms of preferences, we found that companies in the voluntary market prefer offsets that are highly visible, have an immediate impact, and pose a low public relations risk. They tend to buy a diverse portfolio of offsets, some of which are “charismatic” and others that are cheaper and/or available in bulk. In the California compliance market, companies are motivated entirely by the AB32 regulation, which requires them to meet an emissions cap. To do so, they have the option to reduce their emissions, purchase allowances, purchase offsets, or do a combination of the three to comply with the law. Since offsets are cheaper than allowances, many compliant entities plan to purchase offsets as a way to reduce costs; however, there may be hidden transaction costs in figuring out how to navigate the offset marketplace. We found that overall, compliance entities are very price-sensitive, with recommendations from partners being a secondary consideration. The projected supply of offsets and differentiated risk across project types may also influence demand for offsets on the California market.Master of ScienceNatural Resources and EnvironmentUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/97426/1/Carbon Offset Demand in the US_Final_April 2013.pd

Priorities for synthesis research in ecology and environmental science

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank the National Science Foundation grant #1940692 for financial support for this workshop, and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) and its staff for logistical support.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Priorities for synthesis research in ecology and environmental science

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank the National Science Foundation grant #1940692 for financial support for this workshop, and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) and its staff for logistical support.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Rigorous monitoring is necessary to guide food system transformation in the countdown to the 2030 global goals

Food systems that support healthy diets in sustainable, resilient, just, and equitable ways can engender progress in eradicating poverty and malnutrition; protecting human rights; and restoring natural resources. Food system activities have contributed to great gains for humanity but have also led to significant challenges, including hunger, poor diet quality, inequity, and threats to nature. While it is recognized that food systems are central to multiple global commitments and goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, current trajectories are not aligned to meet these objectives. As mounting crises further stress food systems, the consequences of inaction are clear. The goal of food system transformation is to generate a future where all people have access to healthy diets, which are produced in sustainable and resilient ways that restore nature and deliver just, equitable livelihoods. A rigorous, science-based monitoring framework can support evidence-based policymaking and the work of those who hold key actors accountable in this transformation process. Monitoring can illustrate current performance, facilitate comparisons across geographies and over time, and track progress. We propose a framework centered around five thematic areas related to (1) diets, nutrition, and health; (2) environment and climate; and (3) livelihoods, poverty, and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience and sustainability. We hope to call attention to the need to monitor food systems globally to inform decisions and support accountability for better governance of food systems as part of the transformation process. Transformation is possible in the next decade, but rigorous evidence is needed in the countdown to the 2030 SDG global goals

The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030

This Analysis presents a recently developed food system indicator framework and holistic monitoring architecture to track food system transformation towards global development, health and sustainability goals. Five themes are considered: (1) diets, nutrition and health; (2) environment, natural resources and production; (3) livelihoods, poverty and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience. Each theme is divided into three to five indicator domains, and indicators were selected to reflect each domain through a consultative process. In total, 50 indicators were selected, with at least one indicator available for every domain. Harmonized data of these 50 indicators provide a baseline assessment of the world’s food systems. We show that every country can claim positive outcomes in some parts of food systems, but none are among the highest ranked across all domains. Furthermore, some indicators are independent of national income, and each highlights a specific aspiration for healthy, sustainable and just food systems. The Food Systems Countdown Initiative will track food systems annually to U. Rashid Sumaila, Maximo Torero Cullen, Francesco N. Tubiello, Jose-Luis Vivero-Pol, Patrick Webb & Keith Wieb

The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030

This Analysis presents a recently developed food system indicator framework and holistic monitoring architecture to track food system transformation towards global development, health and sustainability goals. Five themes are considered: (1) diets, nutrition and health; (2) environment, natural resources and production; (3) livelihoods, poverty and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience. Each theme is divided into three to five indicator domains, and indicators were selected to reflect each domain through a consultative process. In total, 50 indicators were selected, with at least one indicator available for every domain. Harmonized data of these 50 indicators provide a baseline assessment of the world’s food systems. We show that every country can claim positive outcomes in some parts of food systems, but none are among the highest ranked across all domains. Furthermore, some indicators are independent of