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**Additional links to all other orgs that have used the tool
Planning a Conference?
We recommend you download and read this guide which provides excellent advice for planning, preparing and delivering a sustainable conference
We also recommend that you download and read this simple checklist to aid discussions with your chosen venue.
Why Converging?
We aim to achieve the above by bringing people together in common purpose, hence The Converging World
What is Contraction & Convergence?
“Contraction and Convergence (C&C) is a proposed strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change. Conceived by the Global Commons Institute in the early 1990’s, the Contraction and Convergence strategy consists of reducing overall emissions of greenhouse gases to a safe level, ‘Contraction’, where the global emissions are reduced because every country brings emissions per capita to a level which is equal for all countries, ‘Convergence’.”
How is the principle of Contraction and Convergence applied through the work of TCW?
The Converging World helps members of the developed world contract their carbon emissions by supporting schemes that work with contraction on a grass roots level. Members of the developed world, particularly the business community are encouraged to donate to The Converging World to help us to undertake more renewable projects in the developing world. In the developing world, this money grows as it is invested in renewable energy projects, and then funds projects that promote social and environmental justice in the developing world. Further revenues from the transfer of carbon credits are put back into the process in order to support those schemes that work with contraction on a grass roots level.
'Inequality’ is massive; can we really make a difference?
Morally, we feel compelled to tackle inequality and social injustice. And the impact of climate change will only exacerbate these problems. But we aren’t about abstract idealism. We know that our approach can reduce the gap between the energy-rich and energy-poor, the opportunity-rich and opportunity-poor. We may never create our ideal world, but our approach will undoubtedly reduce inequality and create a more balanced world.
How are the the Converging World offset credits generated?
Strive For Low Carbon Events
Use our unique Conference Carbon Calculator tool to measure the CO2 emmissionso of your conferences and other events.
Then, to compensate for these emmissions you can make a lasting difference by donating to our wind turbine projectin India and see your investment grow and grow
The Gold Standard is a Swiss-based non-profit foundation supported by a group of 51 NGOs and charitable organisations.
Gold Standard accreditation is a certification scheme that recognizes the best projects in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Projects that use the Gold Standard method are the premium projects in the carbon market. The project method requires the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies that promise sustainable development for the local community. All Gold Standard projects are rigorously tested for environmental quality by registered third parties.
The Gold Standard carbon credit label is awarded after third party validation and verification of the offset project. Gold Standard credits are in high demand due to rising awareness about the need for rigor and transparency in the carbon market.
For further info visit the Gold Standard website
Is the Converging World project in Tamil Nadu certified Gold Standard?
The project has applied for Gold Standard certification with the hope of being registered in 2008.
The Gold Standard certification is currently endorsed by 42 NGOs worldwide. The GS certification requires strict additionality, monitoring and verification of the project. A UNFCCC-accredited organisation ensures that the project meets the above criteria. Gold standard projects aim to ensure that the project achieves secondary environmental, social and economic benefits and that negative impacts are minimised.
Stakeholder Consultation
The views and needs of the local people based around our wind farm are fundamental to our model of promoting sustainable development in the region. We shall conduct a series of local stakeholder consultations during the build and running of our project. The first of these consultations was conducted in February 2008. We have collated the results and feedback as part of our submission for Gold Standard certification.
Download and read the consultation report
Converging World Gold Standard CER's
Register for our E Newsletter
If you would like to be kept up-to-date with Converging World progress then why not register to receive our FREE E Newsletter.
Simply send us an email with your name and email address and leave the rest to us
Getting to Grips With Climate Change
Want to know more about Climate Change and how the Converging World is making a difference?
Dowload and read our article 'Getting to Grips With Climate Change'
The Converging World Schumacher Briefing
The story of The Converging World is told in Schumacher Briefing No. 13, “Converging World”.
The book explores both the practical issues and the theory that underpin The Converging World.
You can purchase the book now from: Amazon or Greenbooks
The Converging World is a member of the Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB). In joining FRSB we have agreed to adhere to a strict set of codes and a Fundraising Promise (PDF) committing us to treat the public with respect, fairness, honesty and clarity in all our money raising activities.
The FRSB was set up in 2006 to implement and oversee a transparent self-regulatory scheme for fundraising in the UK. It exists to encourage high standards in fundraising and to increase public confidence in charitable giving. By displaying the FRSB logo we have demonstrated our commitment to the scheme, which is underpinned by an accessible fundraising complaints procedure for members of the public wishing to feedback.
CWRE UK
The Converging World is the exclusive carbon reduction partner for The Travel Foundation and key partner for its Carbon Reduction Programme
Bristol Zoo Gardens now partners with The Converging World to address its carbon footprint through donations to our wind turbine fund. This partnership is being extended into conservation and carbon sequestration projects around the developing world
Over 40 per cent of CO2 emissions in the UK come directly from what we do as individuals; for example, heating and using electricity in our homes - and driving vehicles. Flights are the next biggest source of individuals’ CO2 emissions.
Carbon Facts
The average individuals emissions are 4.8 tonnes
(DEFRA 2008)
Turbine Facts
During its 20-year lifespan, each turbinee will generate 80,000 megawatt hours of clean, renewable electricity, which will prevent 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere
Carbon Caculation Tools
Accurately measuring the carbon dioxide emissions of a conference or an event can be complex, time consuming and therefore costly.
The Converging World has developed three methods of estimating the emissions of a conference, which balance accuracy with the quality of the data available to the organiser.
All three of these carbon calculation tools use average figures - in line with the size of the conference - to estimate the energy consumption in relation to catering, consumables (such as paper and pre-conference marketing), heating and lighting, equipment, accommodation and waste. Travel is addressed in more detail in each of the 3 tools.
These tools enable the organiser to estimate rather than measure the CO2 emissions of their conference according to their desired degree of accuracy.
The Conference Carbon Calculator is offered free of charge but The Converging World requests acknowledgment in the conference’s marketing material for the use of our tool.
Carbon Audit
For those organisers who want to understand the exact impact of their conferences and events then The Converging World offers a detailed carbon auditing service that is specific to each conference. While our calculation tools use average figures this audit process will give an exact measurement of the C02 emissions and the impact of the conference or event.
This service is recommended if the organiser wishes to quantify the exact carbon impact and take appropriate measures to make their conference more sustainable.
We will work with you to reduce your emissions wherever possible.
Maximise your carbon reduction
Whether you use our calculator tool or our carbon audit service to measure your conference’s emissions, a donation in line with the result to The Converging World offers you the opportunity to redress the impact of the travel and resources consumed in connecting people - activities that we do not want to stop.
Your donation is used to generate clean, renewable energy through our wind turbine project in India. In addition it enables us to invest in more renewable energy, to provide sustainable development in India and to reduce carbon emissions through projects in the UK.
The result? A truly sustainable conference that makes a lasting difference.
For further info, to obtain a copy of the Conference Carbon Calculator tool or to arrange an audit please email Daphne Kourkounaki
The Conference Carbon Calculator Tool has been developed in association with The Schumacher Institute
We are applying our big idea first in India, an energy-hungry nation that is growing rapidly and dependent on old, carbon-heavy technology with high emissions rates.
We are building 17 wind turbines in Tamil Nadu to provide a clean way to satisfy India’s appetite for energy, and to achieve higher economic equality there and lower emissions at home.
Two of these turbines have already been funded with a number of businesses expressing great interest in the carbon credits they’ll generate. That leaves 15 more turbines to fund.
The capital cost of one turbine is £1.2 million. However, we can gear up each pound donated so that every £1.2 million we raise effectively pays for two turbines.
We sell the electricity generated by each turbine to the Indian state grid and 75 per cent of the surplus cash flow from electricity sales is reinvested in new turbines. This means, with gearing, each turbine can effectively replace itself indefinitely to provide clean energy far into the future.
The remaining 25 per cent of electricty revenue will be invested in community development work in India.
The electricity generated by the Converging World turbines is sold to the Indian state grid and 75 per cent of the resulting revenue is re-invested in more wind turbines.
Each Converging World turbine has the power to reproduce itself several times during its 20-year lifetime, creating a renewable energy legacy long into the future
This significantly increases the carbon reduction impact of our project.
The remaining 25 per cent of electricty revenue will be invested in community development work in India. This work is entrusted to specialist local organisations with a proven track record.
The earth has limited resources and the developed world systematically consumes far more than its fair share while poorer nations are left wanting. The Converging World recognises that a sustainable world is impossible unless we connect worldwide communities to meet the challenges of poverty, inequality and the over production of carbon. It is this need for convergence that inspired our wind turbine project in India.
SCAD (Social Change and Development) is the overseas partner in Tamil Nadu, Southern India that makes this link possible. Around 25 per cent of the profits from the sale of the green electricity generated by our wind turbines will be given to this organisation to invest in community development, while the remaining 75 per cent will go towards financing the turbines.
Read more about our partner SCAD
The Converging World wind turbines generate carbon credits, currently being certified through the CDM and Gold Standard. It is predicted that each turbine will generate 70,000 high quality, certified carbon credits during its 20 year life-cycle.
The unique benefit of The Converging World carbon credits is that they not only mitigate CO2 emissions, they also help to fund local community projects that are working to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact here in the UK.
All surplus income from carbon credits is held in a fund, from which we allocate grants to community projects that meet our emissions reduction criteria. Every project we support must be approved and administered by our independent advisory board to help assure standards and financial transparency.
You can read more about the type of projects we support in UK Projects
Connect With Us
Find out how you can connect with The Converging World and make a lasting difference.
We have created some useful resources and tools for individuals and companies so together we can help lower global carbon emissions.
Was an Additionality Test performed?
Yes. At The Converging World we are committed to ensuring the Additionality and high quality of our projects. We work closely with an organisation called Carbon Resource Management who provide all the required expertise to advise the technical aspects of our projects
Was the Tamil Nadu project Additional under the terms laid out by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)?
Yes. The IRR of the TCW wind farm without the CDM is 7 per cent and therefore not considered financially viable. With the CDM this rises to 13 per cent.
Is the Converging World project certified through the CDM?
The Converging Worlds project in Tamil Nadu is currently going through the CDM certification process with the hope of being CDM registered in 2008
Gift Aid explained
If you are a UK taxpayer, the Gift Aid scheme allows The Converging World to claim an extra 28 pence for every £1 you donate back from the Inland revenue. So, for example, if you donate £20 to The Converging World, HM Revenue & Customs will add £5.64, bringing the total donation to £25.64.
The tax reclaimed through gift aid will be used to help fund the whole of The Converging Worlds work.
In order for The Converging World to reclaim the tax you have paid on your donations, you must have paid income or capital gains tax (in the UK) equal to the tax that will be claimed (currently 28p for every £1 you give).
Discover your Carbon Footprint
Use the UK Government's carbon calculator to measure your personal carbon footprint.
Act on CO2 Calculator