BackMEDIA KIT natureOffice USA
1. Corporate background
natureOffice's goal is to establish long-term climate change strategies within individual organizations for a healthier environment and better future for our planet . The natureOffice approach starts with an assessment of the carbon dioxide emissions and environmental impact of an organization, which is done by analyzing processes, products or other aspects of a company affecting the climate. The next milestone is to reduce or avoid emissions through appropriate measures. The remaining residual emissions, for which technical or economic reasons cannot be further reduced, are compensated via certified climate protection projects around the world or when possible, close to the organization. The physical location of these projects is less vital than their efficacy because climate change is a global issue. natureOffice believes a combined approach that includes avoidance, reduction and compensation is the most effective and successful strategy.
How we work
Consultation natureOffice establishes long-term climate protection processes in businesses and organizations. natureOffice develops in-depth recommendation based on the combination of ecology and economy. As a result, climate protection can contribute to the company's success in the long run.
Quality Mark
natureOffice's quality mark stands for superior climate protection with transparency, traceability and controlled quality with compensation through carbon offset projects.
2. Industry Background
"The earth has a fever. And the fever is rising. The experts have told us it is not a passing affliction that will heal by itself."
Al Gore, on the occasion of the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony on December 12, 2007
During the early history of our earth, there were a multitude of different climate phases. Every child knows the ice age. In principle, climate changes are nothing extraordinary. But what is alarmingly new is the speed of the change. Within only a few years the average temperature has been rising like it would have otherwise done only within a considerably longer time. Almost all scientists agree that this change is not natural, but caused by humans.
The increase in the greenhouse effect caused by humans contributes to the above-average warming of the earth. The climate-relevant gas carbon dioxide, which results from the burning of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) and from the deforestation of the forests that is so important for carbon dioxide re-absorption, leads to the retention of heat radiation reflected by the earth. Melting ice caps at the poles or in Greenland, swaths of land drying out, and more extreme weather phenomena are the result.
More information on climate change can be found at our page about climate change.
3. Product/Services
1. For companies
One of the simplest ways to get actively involved in climate protection is climate neutral printing. Whether you print business documents, brochures, newsletters and magazines, flyers or catalogs-with climate-neutral printing your commitment becomes visible. You can take responsibility by investing in the highest quality carbon offset projects on the market.
For companies, climate neutral printing is an additional component of sustainable media production, which can be integrated into the sustainability strategy of any company. Moreover, by considering it before print production begins, you have the opportunity - together with the print companies certified by natureOffice - to educate your organization about climate-neutral print processes in advance.
Everything appears the same but you now have the option to print climate neutral.
You do not have to eliminate your favorite paper or the paper approved by your corporate group or parent company. With climate neutral printing, you cannot see that your print products were produced climate neutrally. Instead, your certified print partner gives you the option to reproduce the logo "printed climate neutrally" in conjunction with the tracking number to the carbon offset project on your print product. With the specially allocated tracking number on your printed matter, natureOffice guarantees that your commitment to climate protection is verifiable by anyone. At natureOffice.com, everyone can check its accuracy through a number search (see top right).
Effective climate protection - more advantageous than you thought. The need to control costs is a major part of doing business, especially during a recession. But that is no justification for a lack of commitment to climate protection. The additional costs of printed products, which are incurred by climate-neutral printing, add up to a statistical average of between 0.5 and 1.5 percent of the estimate. These additional costs usually arise from the choice to compensate for carbon dioxide emissions from printing by selecting high quality carbon offset projects.
Who will print my printed products climate neutrally in the future?
On the list of "climate-neutral print shops" you can see which printing companies have been audited by natureOffice, or you can simply approach natureOffice for more information. We can name the nearest company or even talk with your own print shop about its admission to the program.
Will my print shop be able to print climate neutrally in the future?
Yes. If you approach natureOffice, we will reach out to your own print shop to discuss opportunities. We can demonstrate the possibilities for this commitment to climate protection and begin the audit for the business.
2.For print shops
Carbon neutral printing
Carbon neutral printing means that all greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the print production itself and the used materials (paper, energy, ink, etc.) are calculated and compensated through carbon offset projects.
Labelling
With carbon neutral printing, you can put the "carbon neutral print product" logo onto the print object, including an individual tracking number. The logo is available in many languages and layout variants.
Costs for the client
The additional costs that a client pays for carbon neutrality ranges from approximately 0.5 and 1.5 percent of the total contract value. These costs are charged on a monthly basis.
Tracking number
Each and every print carbon neutral product receives a unique tracking number, generated automatically by the natureOffice system. Using this number, anyone can track and verify the amount of compensated greenhouse gas and the carbon offset project.
4. Industry terms
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In ecology the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. For humans it is the potential for long-term maintenance of well being, which in turn depends on the well being of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources.Carbon footprint is "the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product" [1]. For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted.
Carbon offset is a financial instrument aimed at a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e) and may represent six primary categories of greenhouse gases.[1] One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases.
Carbon neutrality or having a net zero carbon footprint, refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset, or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference. It is used in the context of carbon dioxide releasing processes, associated with transportation, energy production and industrial processes.
Green Printing As with many other industrial activities printing has an effect on the environment. In recent years printing has moved to more environmentally benign inks, recycled papers and energy conservation.
Sustainable print production/design: The intention of sustainable design is to "eliminate negative environmental impact completely through skillful, sensitive design".[1] Manifestations of sustainable design require no non-renewable resources, impact the environment minimally, and relate people with the natural environment.
5. Executive bios
Erwin Hudelist, President natureOffice USA
Erwin Hudelist was born in Klagenfurt, Austria and started in the newspaper business at the age of 14 as an apprentice printer. Following his graduation with a degree in printing from the Berufsschule ST. Polten/Vienna, he started his own business. A few years later he visited the United States and was so impressed with the open-minded business environment that he decided to make the move across the ocean.
In 1990, Hudelist joined Harbor Graphics in Honolulu, which he acquired in 1997. During this time leading Harbor Graphics, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year in both 1997 and 1998 by Ernest and Young, NASDAQ, Kaufman foundation and USA Today. In 1998, Hudelist, merged the business with Hagadone Printing Company in Honolulu and became president of the combined operation, serving the company for 11 years. During this time he transformed the company into the "greenest" printing company in the United States. Today, Hagadone Printing enjoys a sustainable business structure that has reduced waste and that operates eco-consciously.
In 2008, Hudelist received the Governor's Innovation Award for an Individual from Governor Linda Lingle, State of Hawaii. In 2009, he was named Industry Person of the Year by the Hawaii Publishing Association. He was named as one of the top 250 executives in Hawaii from 2001 to 2009 by Hawaii Business Magazine. He also founded and became the first president of the Hawaii Sustainability Association. Further, driven by his passion for sustainable living Hudelist has written children's books about global warming and other environmental issue (jimmycarbon.com).
In 2010, Hudelist left Hagadone Printing Company to help others to experience the advantages of becoming "green" and sustainable. He became a partner in natureOffice USA, a company that specializes in helping companies become sustainable and truly eco-friendly organizations. natureOffice provides a turnkey solution to offer carbon neutral products and services: a concept based on the three pillars of sustainability, economic - ecologic - social.
Hudelist holds a Masters in Global Leadership with honors from Hawaii Pacific University.
Andreas Weckwert, CEO
Andreas Weckwert traces the roots of his passion for climate protection to several powerful influences. Whether it was the protest movements of the 1980s in Germany, the arms race between the superpowers, the anti-nuclear movement, or his work as an activist in the peace movement, his vision for a better future was born from a multitude of sources.
Weckwert's passion for climate protection led him to the study of political science, as well as a career in photography for publications such as National Geographic, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Mondy, Daimler Benz , Wirtschaft und Umwelt and Zeitraffer. He also worked as a journalist for European newspapers and magazines such as Süddeutsche Zeitung, Kurier, WirtschaftsBlatt, Abendzeitung, and Bodenseekurier.
Following a decade in journalism, Weckwert expanded into business, where he focused on marketing and management in the emerging computer and mobile phone industry. Past experience includes Marketing Manager for Markt & Technik Zeitschriftenverlag (Sals), Telital, Telekommunikation Italia, Teles Internet Universität Berlin,and AEG, Daimler Benz.
With the goal in mind of making the world a little better each day, he has re-committed to the cause of climate protection. Following a period of industry research, Weckwert founded natureOffice in 2006.
6. Carbon credit programs that partner with natureOffice
Native Forest (Koa) Reforestation Carbon Sequestration Project
Project Type: Reforestation
Reduction: 14.000 t CO2 eq. p.a.
Location: Umikoa, Hawaii, USA
The mission of this project is to preserve the unique woods of Hawaii, like Koa. In the project area the reforestation is embeded in an holistic realization.
Further information
Wind energy / New Caledonia
Project Type: Wind
Reduction: 40.000 t CO2 eq. p.a.
Location: New Caledonia
Project Standard: Gold Standard
The project activity involves six small wind farms of 5 MW circa each situated in two different provinces of New Caledonia (NC). The Prony site is located in the South province of New Caledonia in the village of Mont Dore whereas the Kafeate site is located in the North province in the village of Koné.
Further information
Wastewater threatment / Thailand
Project Type: Water
Reduction: 12.500 t CO2 eq. p.a.
Location: Thailand
Project Standard: Gold Standard
Captured methane from oil mill wastewater is being used as biogas for sustainable power generation. The project is situated about 800 km south of Bangkok in Trang Province, at the western shore of the Malay Peninsula to the Andaman Sea
Further information
natureOffice Gold Standard Portfolio
Project Type: Solar, water, biomass, wind
Reduction: fund
Location: world wide, e.g. India, Turkey, Thailand
Project Standard: Gold Standard
The natureOffice Gold Standard Portfolio consists of carbon offset projects with Gold Standard.
Further information
