The most challenging aspect of the climate-neutral certification process was development of Shaklee’s offset portfolio. CNN required that the portfolio reflect the principal sources of greenhouse gases (i.e., most tons in the portfolio must offset fossil-fuel emissions); that geographical interests be balanced by including a majority of domestic offset credits; and that the credits be retired.

TC+ES had a multi-tiered mandate in this process: create a cost-effective project portfolio; work with project developers; represent the projects during the extensive CNN project review process; and oversee final carbon contracting with project developers. TC+ES put together a strong and diverse portfolio for Shaklee consisting of the following offset projects:

School Boiler Replacements, United States. Carbon funding replaced old oil-burning boilers in four Portland, Oregon, public schools with new, efficient, natural-gas boilers.

Solar Rural Electrification, Sri Lanka and India. This project replaced kerosene lamps and diesel generators with household solar photovoltaic systems.

Coalmine Methane, United States. This project utilized methane venting from abandoned coal mines for electricity generation.

Green Power Buydown, United States. This project used carbon funds for the expansion of green power in the United States.