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I've been hearing a lot about carbon neutral products. What are they and how do I find them?

Looking for a feel-good experience in the increasingly scary global warming scenario? Then climate neutral products are for you, plus they might even do some good.

Penny Bonda -- Interior Design, 9/10/2007 12:00:00 AM

Looking for a feel-good experience in the increasingly scary global warming scenario? Then climate neutral products are for you, plus they might even do some good. Businesses that sell them have committed to offsetting the energy use needed to produce the products and reduce the related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by buying carbon credits. This is best explained by looking at an example.

InterfaceFLOR Commercial announced earlier this year that its products are third-party certified as carbon neutral. The company has been able to identify the metric tons of GHG emissions associated with the total life cycle manufacturing and distribution process of its carpet tiles and zero out those emissions by investing in projects that innovate and broaden the market for alternative energy. The initiatives include wind energy, methane-reduction and transportation efficiency programs, all of which have been certified by the Climate Neutral Network, a third-party alliance of companies and organizations committed to a net-zero impact on global warming.

Third party certification is important to assure that carbon offset programs are resulting in environmental benefits. Concerns are cropping up in the media that some credits being sold are not yielding significant reductions in carbon emissions. However, USGBC recently announced the availability of an Innovation in Design credit for the use of carbon neutral materials and products, which should accelerate their development in the marketplace. As specifiers, designers can influence the process by talking to manufacturers. Tell them that the Rolling Stones and Dave Matthews Band certified their concerts and tours as climate neutral. It's the "cool" thing to do!