Problem: After the 2021 wildfires in Denver, Thrive set the ambitious target to be carbon neutral by the end of 2024 - from their corporate operations to every home they built. When they set out to build the Panorama Idea Home in Breckenridge, CO at a high elevation of 9,600 feet, it proved to be the ultimate test. The 6,600 square foot home was well positioned to achieve carbon neutrality after installing a rooftop solar array and being certified as a U.S. Department of Energy Ready Home. However, even after thoughtfully designing and installing energy efficient appliances and mechanical systems to reduce their emissions, there were still meaningful construction and operational emissions that remained.
Solution: CNaught provided an easy solution for mitigating these remaining carbon emissions through their science-backed portfolios of high-quality carbon credits. CNaught’s high-integrity credits and transparency alleviated Thrive’s concerns about greenwashing and purchasing offsets that didn’t deliver. The streamlined platform also made the purchasing process seamless, while giving Thrive options to order on a per home basis.
"After conducting independent research on various options, Thrive selected CNaught to provide the carbon offsets using a flat price-per-ton purchase option of carbon credits as well as transparency on where and how the offsets would be utilized.
“My hunch is that there is a lot of greenwashing going on with carbon offsets,” says Gene Myers, founder and CSO of Thrive, “so we have to look at something that is a legitimate and verified offset that can’t be sold several times,” thus eroding its value and legitimacy." (Source: Probuilder)
Thrive decided to offset their remaining emissions with a diversified portfolio at an affordable budget, supporting highly-rated avoided emissions projects around the world like landfill gas projects capturing methane emissions, as well as both nature-based and engineered carbon removal projects. The portfolio strategy helped them maximize their climate impact while minimizing risk.
Real Impact: Thanks to their partnership with CNaught, Thrive was able to achieve carbon neutrality on their ambitious Panorama Idea Home. CNaught is working with a growing network of partners including leaders like USGBC California, Green Builder Media, KingSett Capital, and Earth Bound Homes to help them meet rigorous green building standards like LEED Zero and Canada’s ZCB standards.
In an industry where decarbonization efforts are moving too slowly, CNaught offers an accessible and reliable pathway to carbon neutrality. By providing high-integrity carbon credit portfolios, CNaught empowers companies to take immediate steps toward reducing their environmental impact while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable future.
Reach out to our team to learn about how you can meet your own climate goals.
