Other Sustainability Notes

Right from the beginning, Graphene-X has been Climate Neutral certified. But, what does this mean in practical terms? Climate Neutral is an independent non-profit organization which in a very pragmatic way has developed a method for individuals and businesses to offset their carbon emissions. The process looks to first measure how much carbon we are responsible for emitting, then focus on trying to reduce it with well-defined and measurable actions and finally to zero out the rest by purchasing carbon offsets. Carbon offsets are investment projects that either prevent carbon from being emitted, like renewable energy or remove carbon from the atmosphere, like planting trees. After working closely with the Climate Neutral team, it was defined that Graphene-X's footprint estimate was equivalent to 493 t CO2 last year. To get to this estimate we used economic input / output modeling to get the number above; basically, every dollar we spend represents some amount of carbon this makes sense because our economy is, essentially, carbon-based. This year, we purchased our carbon offsets through a pool so more projects can be benefited from our environmental efforts. These projects include Katingan Peatland Restoration and Conservation Project which avoids deforestation in Indonesia; The Envira Amazonia Project which restores forestry in Brazil; and Blandin Native American Hardwoods Conservation Project which benefits forestry in Minnesota. The Katingan Peatland Restoration and Conservation ProjectThe biggest Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) approved REDD+ project in the world with potential emissions reductions reaching an average 7.4 million tonnes ofCO2e per year. It restores and protects one of the largest remaining peat swamps with an area of 149,800 ha. This peat swamp serves as the habitat for endangered Proboscis Monkeys, Orangutangs, and many other animal and plant species. The project facilitates the blocking of drainage ditches with dams to stop the water flowing out of the pea, and also involves improving health clinics and development of sanitation and healthy plumbing options. It also helps sustainable local workforce development by employing 400 workers above minimum wage and contributing 950 local micro-finance loans. The Envira Amazonia Project is a project in the State of Acre, Brazil, which aims to protect up to 200,000 hectares of tropical rainforest. Furthermore, the Envira Amazonia Project will simultaneously preserve rich biodiversity and a wide range of ecosystem services, provide direct benefits to local communities, and mitigate the release of ~12.6 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the first 10 years of theProject. Blandin Native American Hardwoods Conservation Project is conducting improved forest management practices on 187,000 acres of forest under its ownership in northern Minnesota, initiated in part to mitigate climate change. Project activities Smart Forestry practices maintaining the diversity of natural forest communities and aligning management with ecological regimes, as well as reducing harvest impacts in a forest that supports more than 3.200 workers and hundreds of businesses. Becoming Climate Neutral Certified is just a step in along sustainability journey, but it's a step in the right direction. We encourage you to become part of this great project which is led by awesome people that are truly committed to making a difference. Check the details here. Check the details here.