Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty—the name of this social business really says it all. While the website, COTAP.org, is still in beta, it offers plenty of information on the nonprofit’s goal to benefit the environment while at the same time addressing a major social issue.
To help tackle climate change, Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty has launched tree planting programs that simultaneously create job opportunities for those living in extreme poverty (those living on less than $2 a day) in places like Nicaragua, Mozambique and Uganda.
"We source carbon offset funds from those who care about both climate change and poverty alleviation," the website says. "We then transparently match those funds to forestry projects in order to fill the forestry carbon finance gap, restore landscapes, and create direct, significant, verifiable, and lasting benefits for the most economically vulnerable people in the world."
This unique model allows the world’s more affluent to support those living in poverty, and allows those facing economic hardships to offset the environmental damage caused by those in developed countries. How’s that for good karma?
Contact Information
Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty website
Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty on Twitter
Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty on Facebook
Trees to End Poverty
Carbon Offsetting With COTAP.org Tackles Social and Environmental Issues
Trend Themes
1. Carbon Offsetting - Using carbon offset funds to address social and environmental issues simultaneously.
2. Tree Planting Programs - Creating job opportunities for those living in extreme poverty while combating climate change.
3. Social Business - A unique model that allows affluent individuals to support those living in poverty while offsetting environmental damage.
Industry Implications
1. Environmental Conservation - Opportunity to integrate carbon offsetting programs with poverty alleviation initiatives.
2. Social Impact - Utilizing tree planting programs as a means to uplift economically vulnerable communities.
3. Nonprofit Organizations - Exploring innovative models that combine environmental sustainability with poverty alleviation.