At Turtl, we want companies to embrace the digital revolution. But, we also recognize that digital doesn’t automatically equal sustainable.

In 2016, The Independent reported that data centers have the same carbon footprint as the aviation industry. And while these centers are becoming more efficient every day, it’s predicted that by 2040, storing data will create 14% of the world’s carbon emissions. That’s the same proportion as the US produces today.

We feel that it’s our responsibility to combat the carbon emissions produced by the data generated both by us and by our customers.

We’ve chosen to do this through carbon offsetting.

What is carbon offsetting?

Every organization, country, and individual has a carbon footprint – their impact on the environment is measured by CO2 emissions. Offsetting is buying carbon credits equal to your carbon impact. In theory, for every tonne of CO2 you emit, you pay an amount to an organization that, through various projects, ensures there is one less tonne in the atmosphere on your behalf.

Does carbon offsetting work?

Some offsetting projects have been criticized for promising more than they deliver. It’s argued that the credit attribution system is skewed, and that the huge demand for offsetting has spawned organizations so focused on delivering on their promised metrics that they actually damage local environments and communities in the process. This is why it was incredibly important for us to find a project that works responsibly to reduce CO2 emissions.

Which project have we chosen?

We’ve chosen to offset our carbon emissions with ClimatePartner to the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Their project aims to develop hydropower in the area which will benefit the local community, and protect the park’s native habitat of mountain gorillas.

Why is the project important?

Virunga National Park is home to some of the last mountain gorillas still alive in the world today. Over 600 rangers protect the area from armed militia who exploit the region’s natural resources, animals, and, above all, wood used for charcoal trade. This illegal exploitation is a million-dollar business and finances civil war. In the past 20 years, more than 160 park rangers have died on account of the protective work they do.

Illegal charcoal made from trees in the Virunga National Park is, for many, their only energy source. 97% of the population in this region have no electricity in their home, and many lack basic infrastructure. If there is no alternative energy source to charcoal, this forest could be completely deforested in less than a decade.

Recently, a small run-of-river hydroelectric power plant was built which generates enough electricity for 30,000 inhabitants, 5,000 households, and many new small businesses. For many, this was the first time they had access to any electricity at all. As local demand is so great and the initial project was so successful, a second run-of-river power plant is being set up in the region.

The project lays the foundation for economic development in the region, subsequently building stability and peace for its people, wildlife, and natural environment.

UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

This project was chosen by us because it fulfills 11 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and aligns with our values at Turtl for accessibility of technology, and taking inspiration from nature to create better workflows. Plus, the growth of renewable energy production is essential to limiting global warming and securing energy supplies for the future. Since hydropower is created without burning fossil fuels, it is considered emission-free.

 

Your carbon footprint with Turtl

You’re not only eliminating the carbon emissions of mass-scale paper production by joining Turtl. The carbon created from your Turtl-generated data will be offset by the Virunga National Park project.

For every tonne of CO2 your data creates, we pay an amount to the project which will be used to help reduce an equivalent amount of carbon in the atmosphere. This is also not the first carbon offsetting project supported by Turtl.

We previously funded the Yarra Yarra biodiversity project which has social, economic, and environmental benefits, such as the reversing of land degradation, and empowering of local indigenous communities who are the Traditional Owners of the diverse landscape.

More about Turtl

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About

Dive into the history of Turtl

Turtl began as an idea and a few lines of code conceived by founders Nick Mason and Mark Sallows.

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