ABOUT GO ZERO

WE CAN ALL START SOMEWHERE BECAUSE ITS WHAT WE DO TOGETHER THAT MATTERS

As part of its Climate Change Program, The Conservation Fund launched Go ZeroSM to engage people around the world -- companies, communities, and individuals -- in the effort to combat climate change. Go Zero measures the specific carbon dioxide emissions of virtually any slice of life, from travel-related emissions to corporate headquarters, high profile events to single individuals. The Conservation Fund then offsets that impact by planting native trees, which absorb carbon dioxide as they grow.

Since 2000, The Conservation Fund has restored nearly 30,000 acres and planted nine million trees through its carbon sequestration program. Over the next 100 years, these new forests will capture an estimated 13 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from the atmosphere.

The Go Zero program was created to calculate and offset the annual carbon dioxide emitted by a specific activity, business, organization or individual. Therefore, all "carbon credits" are retired and cannot be banked for future offset purposes or sold.

GO ZERO PRINCIPLES

ALL GO ZERO PROJECTS ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES:

• NATIVE SPECIES:  All Go Zero reforestation uses tree species native to the region in which they are planted and chosen to restore fully functioning natural systems.
• PERMANENCE:   The Conservation Fund works with the nation's leading public natural resource agencies to ensure that trees are planted in permanently protected areas that have long-term management plans to ensure accuracy and reliability of carbon sequestration.
• ADDITIONALITY:   All Go Zero projects result in the capture of additional carbon dioxide compared to that which would otherwise have occurred without native tree planting.
• ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS:   Go Zero reforestation projects provide additional environmental benefits including restored wildlife habitat, improved air and water quality and enhanced recreation areas.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Native trees and forests help fight climate change as part of a natural process called photosynthesis. As they grow, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (C0₂ is one of the most potent greenhouse gases) and convert it into oxygen. In addition to trapping the dangerous gases that cause climate change, these new forests help to protect water quality, restore wildlife habitat and enhance public recreation areas.

The process of trapping carbon in forests, soils, geological formations and other carbon “sinks” is called carbon sequestration. Through its pioneering Carbon Sequestration Program, The Conservation Fund has become the nation's leading environmental nonprofit working to implement on-the-ground solutions that address climate change. Since 2000, The Conservation Fund has restored 30,000 acres and planted more than 9 million trees through its carbon sequestration program.

Over the next 100 years, these new forests will capture an estimated 13.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from the atmosphere. The majority of these trees are planted and monitored by Environmental-Synergy, Inc. a group of leading scientists that specializes in reforestation and carbon sequestration monitoring. Reforestation efforts are currently focused on the Lower Mississippi River Valley – an area that has lost more than 20 million acres of bottomland hardwood forest in the last century.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Whether you are a private business or an individual, you too can help fight climate change by measuring and then “zeroing out” your carbon dioxide emissions. The Conservation Fund’s new Go Zero program provides scalable tools and strategies that will offset the carbon emissions of an individual, a particular business unit, an entire brand, or a selected product. By making it easy and inexpensive to combat climate change, the Go Zero program can be used to encourage larger audiences such as customers, employees, or even your local schools, churches and governments to Go Zero.

TO FIND OUT MORE

To find out how Go Zero can be customized to meet the specific needs of your company or organization PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CONSERVATIONFUND.ORG