The CTBUH will be taking valuable steps to tackle climate change by offsetting the CO2 emissions from the Dubai Congress, through a carbon offset scheme organised by Climate Care. Established in 1998 Climate Care began their offset service sourcing projects that reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, making CO2 reductions on behalf of individuals and companies. Their approach to these matters mirrors the best practice and energy efficiency ethos of the CTBUH 8^th World Congress.

To achieve this carbon neutrality we are calculating the CO2 emissions that are released from the energy used by the Congress, including delegates’ international travel. These CO2 emissions will be offset by Climate Care who fund a variety of different projects to reduce the equivalent amount of CO2 emissions through:

• Renewable energy - this replaces non-renewable fuel such as coal
• Energy efficiency - this reduces the amount of fuel needed
• Forest restoration - this absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere as the trees grow

A proportion of all delegates registration fees will be directed to this initiative. This funding will be spread across a portfolio of projects. This portfolio approach allows Climate Care to provide funding up front for projects. Recent projects have included restoring a rainforest in Uganda, providing efficient cooking stoves in Bangladesh, Honduras and Madagascar, supplying treadle pumps in India, and installing energy efficient lighting in the Marshall Islands.
One of the distinct advantages of Climate Care's offset package is that their approach not only reduces the 'carbon footprint' but also promotes the use of low-carbon technologies particularly in the under-developed world and offers wider benefits to local communities – including poverty alleviation, health benefits and increased biodiversity.
Climate Care has an excellent website which offers comprehensive explanations on the different projects being funded and their approach to offsetting. We would encourage delegates to visit the Climate Care website for further information http://climatecare.org