Sustainable Schools Showcase

Outline / Scope of Works

Travel details, including travel methods, vehicle type and distance were collected by Shining Earth following the issue of an electronic questionnaire sent to all attendees prior to the conference.

Guidance values contained within the latest UK DEFRA Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors document were used to calculate the total emissions associated with the data collected, and using these values it was estimated that approximately 11 tonnes of CO₂ were associated with travel to and from the event.

The results found that 91% of the calculated CO₂ emissions were associated with emissions from private vehicles including, cars, vans, taxis, and motorbikes. The remaining 9% of the total emissions came from public transport, with 6.7% from train. One person who attended the event travelled by bicycle, therefore emitting no carbon emissions.

Outcome/Client Benefits

These emissions have been offset by 200% by Lincolnshire County Council resulting in 22 tonnes of CO₂ being offset to ensure that all attendees’ travel to the event was Beyond Carbon Neutral. 

Half of these emissions have been offset using a combination of verified emissions reduction credits for international renewable energy and methane capture projects that include hydro power projects in the Guizhou province of China and the capture of methane from coal mines in the Jilin province of China.  In addition, the remaining emissions have been offset via afforestation and habitat creation schemes within the UK, investing in ‘Woodland Carbon’ supplied by the Woodland Trust.