Frequently Asked Questions about ClimateSAVE

Q: What is ClimateSAVE?
A: ClimateSAVE is a product based on Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that can be used to offset greenhouse gas emissions. Every time a renewable generation facility—such as a wind turbine or solar installation—generates power, it generates an equivalent amount of RECs, which represent the renewable and emissions attributes of that power. Those attributes can then be sold separately from the electricity to support renewable energy generators and help finance new renewable generation. (If electricity is sold separately from RECs, the electricity assumes the traits of conventional, "brown" electricity. Only RECs represent the environmental attributes and can be matched with electricity consumption to make it clean and "green.")

Q: What does my purchase of ClimateSAVE really do?
A: Your purchase of ClimateSAVE provides financial support for renewable energy generation, which replaces more polluting, non-renewable sources of energy such as coal and natural gas. The sale of these credits allows more renewable energy facilities to be built and reduces the demand for new fossil fuel generators. By increasing the proportion of renewable energy in the electric grid, ClimateSAVE reduces global greenhouse gas emissions. ClimateSAVE can be used to offset emissions-causing activities by individuals, businesses, and organizations. For example: shipping and transportation, heating and cooling, special events, and other activities that generate greenhouse gases.

Q: Is ClimateSAVE a for-profit company?
A: No. ClimateSAVE is owned and sold by Conservation Services Group, a non-profit organization.

Q: Is purchasing ClimateSAVE just an excuse to pollute?
A: No. Each of us has a responsibility to first reduce our own "carbon footprint" (the amount of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from our own activities). However, we recognize that it is not always possible to completely eliminate our individual impact. ClimateSAVE is designed to offset the emissions associated with electricity that cannot otherwise be reduced. By reducing what we can and offsetting what we can't, each of us can become carbon neutral.

Q: How can you ensure that emissions are really reduced?
A: For each purchase of ClimateSAVE, Conservation Services Group retires an equivalent amount of renewable energy certificates (RECs). This means that your purchase of ClimateSAVE helps finance renewable energy generation facilities that provide electricity to the grid. Each of these facilities displaces the electricity generated from fossil fuels. The added revenue stream from the sale of renewable energy certificates also allows additional renewable energy facilities to be built. ClimateSAVE is independently audited each year and is Green-e certified to assure that each purchase of ClimateSAVE is verifiable and not double-counted.

Q: Will purchasing ClimateSAVE improve the air quality in my neighborhood/city/area?
A: Unlike many other forms of air pollution, climate change is a global problem, not a local one. The greenhouse effect, which causes global warming, does not distinguish based on where pollution originates. Purchasing ClimateSAVE reduces the amount of global greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore the global impact on climate change. However, it does not necessarily improve local air quality.

Q: Is my ClimateSAVE purchase tax deductable?
A: If you are purchasing ClimateSAVE for your business, you may be able to write it off as a business expense. However, ClimateSAVE is not a registered charity, so most donations cannot be deducted.

Q: Do I own GHG offsets or RECs as a result of my transaction, and can they be used or re-sold for regulatory purposes?
A: Sorry, once you have purchased ClimateSAVE we retire those credits on your behalf. This is one part of ensuring that your purchase makes a real difference.

Q: Should I buy ClimateSAVE instead of using less energy myself?
A: Definitely not. ClimateSAVE is meant to be purchased after you have attempted to reduce your energy use as much as possible.

Q: What is the difference between a REC and an offset?
A: A REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) represents the renewable attributes associated with the production of one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity. An offset, on the other hand, represents a one-ton reduction in greenhouse gases. Because renewable energy on the electricity grid is clean and displaces fossil fuel generation, some RECs can be converted to offsets. However, a REC must have come from an additional source in order to be considered an offset.

Q: How much CO2 does a block of ClimateSAVE reduce?
A: One block of ClimateSAVE (500 kWh) reduces about 660 pounds of CO2, based on the latest EPA e-GRID regional data.

Q: How do you calculate the carbon equivalents of ClimateSAVE renewable energy?
A: We base our calculations on the latest available U.S. EPA e-GRID data, which estimates the greenhouse gas emissions produced from energy generation in each region of the country. ClimateSAVE renewable energy facilities replace traditional electricity generation, so each kWh of ClimateSAVE represents a reduction of the emissions typically associated with producing one kWh of electricity in that region.

Q: What other benefits does renewable energy have?
A: In addition not emitting greenhouse gases, renewable energy has a number of benefits. It increases our domestic energy security, reduces our dependence on foreign fuel, and creates domestic, quality jobs.