Recreational Equipment, Inc. and its adventure travel company, REI Adventures, have entered into a partnership with Bonneville Environmental Foundation to compensate for the greenhouse gas impact of all REI Adventures trips and REI Outdoor School outings. BEF is a nonprofit environmental foundation that markets green power products and funds new renewable energy projects.ÂÂ
Starting in 2007, REI Adventures will purchase BEF Green Tags, or renewable energy credits, to offset the greenhouse gas impacts of air, water and ground travel associated with all excursions. BEF Green Tags are created when renewable energy such as solar and wind power are substituted to local utilities for energy generated by burning fossil fuels which are linked to global warming. Each BEF Green Tag offsets the carbon produced by 1,030 miles of air travel, and is equivalent to 1,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy.
REI Adventures expects to purchase more than 52,000 BEF Green Tags in the coming year, offsetting more than 36,000 tons of carbon dioxide. This amount equates to the annual CO2 emissions of approximately 6,200 average gas-powered cars, or powering nearly 5,000 typical U.S. homes for a year with 100 percent renewable energy. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of top renewable energy purchasers, today’s announcement would place REI among the 20 largest purchasers nationally.
Beyond travel, BEF is offering REI customers the opportunity to purchase BEF Green Tags to offset the environmental impacts of the energy they use in their homes and for commuting. In return, customers will receive a $20 REI Gift Card from BEF for a Green Tag purchase of $120 or more, and a $40 REI Gift Card for a purchase of $200 or more.
As part of the REI Adventures partnership, beginning next year BEF will donate 10 percent of its revenue from REI Adventures and all REI customer purchases to annually fund a renewable energy project – including the development of a local infrastructure for ongoing maintenance and support – in a country where REI Adventures leads trips.
For additional information about REI Adventures carbon-neutral travel program, visit www.reiadventures.com.
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