CHANGING THE WORLD
W
hile a dwindling few politicians and deniers still debate and argue about climate change and global warming, it’s a refreshing source of pride that Alberta is being recognized as a pioneering world leader in highlighting the urgent reality – and doing something about it. “It’s gratifying and exciting that Alberta has such a leadership role in the Americas,” says Alastair Handley, the positive and dynamic president and founder of Carbon Credit Solutions Inc. (CCSI), an innovative and globally-respected carbon offset market leader and North America’s largest aggregator of small environmental projects. “Alberta was the first jurisdiction in the Americas to focus on reducing emissions, put a price on carbon and the first to create a carbon market in 2007. And just 11 years later, Alberta is recognized for being a world leader for reducing emissions, having one of the best carbon markets, primarily because we have an efficient carbon market that really works.” He concedes that, with the business and social focus of climate change and global warming and the urgent priority of doing whatever it takes to reduce emissions, the options and the progress can get technical, confusing and sometimes contentious. “Then carbon market is not about carbon tax,” Handley emphasizes. “In its most simplistic and non-technical definition, the carbon market is a positive that rewards good behaviour.” Carbon Credit Solutions uses ingenuity, expertise and its proprietary software to consult, develop and measure carbon credit project performance against environmental standards. Knowledgeable consultants identify risks and implement preventative and corrective controls to mitigate project risks, and they also monitor and verify the progress and success of not only agricultural emissions but a broad range of green projects.
Handley explains that carbon credits are not only part of the emission-reducing solution but are financially and environmentally rewarding. “It’s understandable that people usually think of industries that produce greenhouse gas. The electric and energy sector are key sources of emissions. It is documented that in Canada and globally, agriculture is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is to slow global warming by removing greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere and isolate carbon in farmland used for no-till farming. “CCSI is working with eight million acres of land,” he enthusiastically points out. “That’s the equivalent of removing emissions from 700,000 cars.” The emission-conscious world is catching on to the innovation and ingenuity of CCSI. The Airdrie-based company, with 42 employees, has grown by more than 400 per cent in less than four years and has expanded its carbon market consulting operations into the U.S. and South America. China is next. Although the expertise and specialty is highly technical, Ed Alfke, the Carbon Credit Solutions CEO and chairman of the board, exudes the company’s passion and purpose. “We’re working hard and we are the largest on the globe at what we do. I am determined to make the world better for my children and grandchildren and to create a company that’s both profitable and sustainable in order to achieve that,” he says with emotion and pride. “Climate change is one of the single-biggest challenges facing global development today,” Handley adds with personal and professional drive. “And we are committed to making a difference.”
1-724 East Lake Road NE Airdrie, AB T4A 2J5 information@carboncreditsolutions.ca 403 912-9132 or 1-877-912-9132
www.carboncreditsolutions.ca