WEFTEC attendees and exhibitors generously donated to help offset 5,903 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by travel to and from New Orleans.
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is aware that large live events have significant environmental effects and is committed to minimizing WEFTEC’s environmental footprint both globally and locally. To help offset GHG emissions, WEF created the opportunity for people to choose to contribute to a carbon offset program during WEFTEC registration.
The contributions were applied to purchasing Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs) from the United Nations (UN) carbon offset platform. These CERs are generated from Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, which are in developing countries to offset unavoidable emissions or as a contribution to global climate action. Carbon offset icons on conference badges acknowledge contributors. To reinforce this commitment to carbon neutrality, WEF pledged to match contributions up to $10,000.
In total, WEFTEC raised enough funds to offset 5,903 tons of GHG emissions.
Ratchaburi Farms Biogas Project
These funds will support the Ratchaburi Farms Biogas Project at SPM Farm in Thailand. The project consists of a high-rate continuous flow closed anaerobic treatment reactor. This system will treat the barn-flushing effluents produced by swine-rearing operations. The system is equipped with a biogas capturing system and replaced a low-rate open anaerobic lagoon barn flushing effluent treatment system.
The captured biogas is used as fuel in two units of gas engines to generate electricity for the farm. The generated electricity displaces power that was previously imported from the national electricity grid. This project results in the reduction of GHG emissions through the avoidance of methane from the conventional open lagoon system and the displacement of electricity from the national grid.
Learn more about the Ratchaburi Farms Biogas Project.
