dCarbon8

As part of our long-term vision we have become members of dcarbon8. Our association with this carbon solutions group is designed to achieve a change in attitude in the decision making process, which will encourage clients and end users to choose materials which will help to achieve a
sustainable, economical and responsible method of reducing carbon emissions. The final objective being to encourage the construction of Planet Positive buildings designed and built to minimise impact on the environment.

The process of generating carbon credits for the materials and services used throughout all stages of construction, by using companies and suppliers who are also members of the dcarbon8 scheme, enables the project manager or contractor to centrally control the collection of the credits before transferring them eventually to the building’s owner. The monetary value of the credits funded by each of the contributors to the building are commuted at the end of the contract by the building owner to an environmental scheme of their choosing.

The Carbon Exchange sits at the heart of the dcarbon8 environmental management system, and provides a unique platform for offsetting the carbon footprint of the project - providing all those involved are members of dcarbon8. It is independent, transparent and features a selection of carbon offset projects.

Each carbon credit offset managed through dcarbon8, equates to at least 1.1 tonnes of carbon savings, so Hambleside can guarantee that it is offsetting its footprint by at least 110%, thereby making it carbon negative. In addition, each contribution incorporates a donation to one of dcarbon8 charity based Corporate Social Responsibility projects.

Hambleside has been certified Planet Positive™ which confirms that the greenhouse gases generated by the Group’s business activities are more than offset by activities which reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that it hasmade the commitment to go beyond just carbon neutrality, in recognition of the need to reduce greenhouse gases collectively not just merely halt their growth.

Through dcarbon8, Hambleside is supporting two renewable energy projects:

1) Link Charity Development Phakama Project, South Africa
The Link Charity Developments (LCD) Phakama Project works with 150 schools in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It seeks to improve the quality of rural education and how districts work and support their schools. This project aims to install solar panels into schools in the Eastern Cape, providing them with a reliable, cost effective and sustainable energy supply.

2) Hydroelectric Power Plant Project, Guatemala
Hydroelectric power relies on the movement of water, a constant and renewable force that can be captured and converted into electricity. A hydroelectric power plant connected to the national grid in Guatemala provides a constant source of renewable energy that has significantly reduced the
demand for fossil-fuel generated electricity.

To access a PDF of the dCarbon8 loyalty plan for earth please click here.