Frequently Asked Questions
Carbon Offset Programme
What is Maxol's Carbon Offset Programme?
We invest in certified carbon offset projects to offset your vehicle's emissions. You can effectively balance out your carbon footprint simply by choosing Maxol Premium Fuel. Plus, you are supporting tree plantings throughout Ireland and our local communities.
How does the Carbon Offset Programme work?
Simply choose Maxol Premium Fuel, and we offset 100% of your vehicle's emissions through investments in certified carbon offset projects and support initiatives to better the environment.
How can I participate and how much does it cost?
Simply fill up with Maxol Premium Fuel, and we will offset your emissions through certified carbon offset projects.
How are the appropriate carbon emissions calculated?
For each litre of the Premium Fuel sold at Maxol service stations, we calculate the carbon dioxide emissions emitted using factors from the EIA, EPA, and other reputable institutions.
CARBON OFFSETS & PROJECTS
What is a certified carbon offset?
A certified carbon offset is a certificate representing the reduction, destruction or capture of one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Carbon offsets are produced by certified carbon offset projects. These projects must follow strict guidelines established by internationally recognised standards in order to generate certified carbon offsets.
How are carbon offsets purchased?
Carbon offsets are purchased to negate a CO2 equivalent emission. Offsets are certified and exchanged, much like stocks, via one of the officially recognised carbon registries such as Gold Standard, Climate Action Reserve and Verified Carbon Standard.
What is a certified carbon offset project?
A certified carbon offset project is a project specifically designed to reduce, capture or destroy greenhouse gases that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere. An example is a renewable energy project, like a wind farm.
What types of projects qualify as certified carbon offset projects?
There are many different types of carbon offset projects that capture or avoid the emission of greenhouse gases. These include renewable energy, such as wind farms, biomass energy, or hydroelectric dams. Others include energy efficiency projects, the destruction of industrial pollutants or agricultural byproducts, greenhouse gas abatement, zero-till cropping, destruction of landfill methane, and forestry projects.
Who tracks and verifies these certified carbon offset projects?
Programme impact is attested annually by a big 4 accounting firm and all certified carbon offset projects adhere to stringent international registries and carbon standards.
TREE PLANTING
Who are you working with to plant the 10,000 trees, and do they play a role in offsetting my emissions?
Through our partnership with the Trees on the Land Initiative, Maxol is planting 10,000 trees in partnership with the Trees on the Land Initiative, a cross-border initiative that works to establish young native trees across the island of Ireland.
The 10,000 trees will be additional to and not counted toward Maxol’s carbon offset projects that offset your emissions. These trees are Maxol’s way of going above and beyond their commitment to offset their customers’ carbon footprint. You can think of the trees’ environmental benefit as a bonus, since it is not counted toward our carbon offsetting process.
Where will your trees be planted?
Trees are planted across the island of Ireland. Our tree planting map is being updated with 2020 planting sites to align with our current planting and will be available to view again shortly. Check back for updates from our Fall 2020 planting season.
What types of trees are being planted?
Trees on the Land buys native Irish-grown trees of certified Irish seed provenance for our woodland, hedging, coppice, agroforestry and reforestation projects and works with young forestry whips as their size enables easy handling and planting along with excellent establishment rates.
Common Species: Downy Birch, Common Alder, Oak (sessile & pedunculate), Scots Pine, Hazel, Rowan, Crab Apple, Hawthorn & Blackthorn.
They also plant a variety of fruit and nut trees as well as rare species when possible. Rare tree species must be Irish grown and of certified Irish seed provenance.