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CJSF would be interested in having someone who is familiar with this concept or will do the research to understand its controversial elements to cover this story. Let me know if that is you. - FW

Media Advisory

February 14, 2010

Managing the carbon footprint of the 2010 Winter Games

Offsetters Clean Tech Partners help to leave a legacy of clean energy projects

What: Accredited media for the BC International Media Centre (BCMC) are invited to an announcement by Offsetters, the first ever Official Carbon Offset Supplier of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Linda Coady, Vice President, Sustainability of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will review the ambitious carbon management program for the 2010 Winter Games including the strategy, reduction plans and carbon offsetting program followed by an introduction of the BC Clean Tech Partners who are creating the carbon offset projects for the 2010 Legacy Portfolio. The first BC-based clean technology projects for the 2010 Legacy Portfolio will also be announced.

The strategy and tactics of the voluntary offsetting campaign targeted at spectators, locals and visitors will be highlighted, including the fictional demonstration sport of ‘Bobwheeling’.

Why: Working with Offsetters, VANOC will offset all the direct carbon footprint for the 2010 Winter Games which is estimated to be 118,000 tonnes. This is the first time that an organizing committee will offset the entire organizing period of a Games in Olympic Games history. Offsetters is also the first Official Supplier of Carbon Offsets in Olympic Games history.

In addition, a spectator engagement program is being implemented to encourage the voluntary offsetting of 150,000 tonnes of carbon that is estimated will be produced from spectators, sponsors and media during the Games period.

Where: BC Media Centre, Press Theatre

When: Monday February 15, 2010 2:00 pm

Who:
James Tansey, CEO and Co-Founder, Offsetters
Linda Coady, Vice President Sustainability, VANOC
Malcolm Metcalfe, CTO and Founder, Sempa Power
Offsetters Clean Tech Partners


About Offsetters:
As Canada’s first and leading carbon management provider, Offsetters helps individuals and companies understand, reduce, track and offset their climate impact – in that order. Headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Offsetters is the first ever Official Supplier of Carbon Offsets to an Olympic Games and will be providing the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) with carbon credits sourced from clean technologies developed in BC’s Lower Mainland. In 2009, Offsetters was also selected by the Pacific Carbon Trust as the first supplier of carbon offsets to the BC Crown Corporation.


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Media Contact:
Melanie Wong, Offsetters, (604) 699-2652 or (cell) (604) 838-6248 melanie@offsetters.ca