I think it is unfair on companies such as these selling this trees4good concept when there is no proof that they are doing so or even proof that it really benefiting the local community or economy.

We should be seriously looking at reducing our waste streams and using this waste safely to produce energy.

My first view on the above is that biofuel feedstock (or the lack of it) is a major issue in the industry. In my opinion 2nd generation feedstocks such as Algae and Jatropha are the answer, I don’t think there is currently one solution out there that can solve or replace the problems caused by the diminishing supply of “dirty” fossil fuels. It will take a number of renewable energy sources to replace and reduce our dependancy on fossil fuels. Unfortunately fuel from algae is a little way off and the funding for development comes mainly from the private sector. We really need governments to invest heavily into research into 2nd generation feedstocks. The biodiesel industry has had a harsh time of it in this country when it is clearly not to blame for the cutting down of the rainforests. Palm oil can’t really be used in this country due to our climate and the viscosity of Palm oil (it will gel as soon as the weather gets cold). The biodiesel industry (in general) accounts for a very small percentage of the use for Palm oil (over 96% is used for food and cosmetics). The UK biodiesel industry is also mainly founded on the transesterfication or conversion of Wate Vegetable Oil; although this won’t solve the demand for fuel it has taken a waste product and turned it into a product (which should be commended).

Carbon Clear Solutions works with companies to help them to reduce the carbon emmisions produced by a company at source (recycling, changing light bulbs etc) and to offset unavoidable emmisions such as travel, gas and electricity used. We do this by having partnered with a company called Trees4Good. Trees4Good allows companies to offset their footprint by planting Jatropha trees on wasteland in Borneo. The benefits of Jatropha is that the tree’s fruit yields inedible oil that can be used as biodiesel, it is very hardy and grows where other plants (e.g. food crops can’t), the roots are nitrogen fixing which regenerates the topsoil and allows the land owner to intercrop food crops (such as water melon) in between the Jatropha. Because the tree becomes a commodity it is valuable to the local community and prevents them from needing to log trees to earn money.