If you have been paying attention to the news around climate change and sustainable business over the last year or so, you know that there are a lot of businesses committed to carbon neutrality because according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we must halve global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and be carbon neutral by 2050 if we want to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change. For this reason, every company on the planet will need to calculate their carbon footprint as a first step, then take steps to reduce their carbon footprint, and eventually achieve carbon neutrality; but what about a company who has committed to being carbon neutral since its inception and why is that important?
Bajio Sunglasses was founded in 2020 (and officially launched in 2021) and they have made sustainability a core value of the brand, which is demonstrated by committing to carbon neutrality, having their frames made from plant-based materials instead of petroleum-based, their lenses made from recyclable glass and 100% recycled packaging, all of which helps to reduce their carbon footprint and further validates their commitment to sustainability. In short, Bajio is leading by example. They are setting the standard for how new brands will need to introduce themselves to the market in the 21st Century, and that’s a good thing! Bajio Sunglasses has the right intentions and is doing business the right way…from inception. Here’s what Bajio Sunglasses founder, Al Perkinson, had to say about achieving carbon neutrality, “We believe that excess carbon in our atmosphere is having a devasting effect on marine life. We see it every day, first hand. We also see the destruction of mangroves from irresponsible development as a key issue. Mangroves are home to young marine life, which is the future. Offsetting our carbon footprint by planting mangroves provides a double benefit that we’re thrilled to be able to support.”
We believe that excess carbon in our atmosphere is having a devastating effect on marine life. We see it every day, first hand. We also see the destruction of mangroves from irresponsible development as a key issue. Mangroves are home to young marine life, which is the future. Offsetting our carbon footprint by planting mangroves provides a double benefit that we’re thrilled to be able to support.
Al Perkinson
I am proud to share Bajio’s Carbon Footprint Report and hope you enjoy following Bajio on their sustainability journey. However, before we dive in, it’s important to define carbon neutrality.
Bajio Sunglasesses 2020 Carbon Footprint Report
Carbon Neutral is defined by the World Resources Institute as “annual zero net anthropogenic (human caused or influenced CO2 emissions by a certain date. By definition, carbon neutrality means every ton of anthropogenic CO2 emitted is compensated with an equivalent amount of CO2 removed (e.g. via carbon sequestration)….”
Methodology
Bajio Sunglasses’ Carbon Footprint is based in the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting Standard and is created as a reference for what we are including in your Carbon Footprint, which provides you with relevant, complete, consistent, transparent and accurate GHG inventory.
Spend-based method – Estimate emissions for goods and services by collecting data on the economic value of goods and services purchased and multiplying it by relevant secondary (e.g., industry average) emission factors (e.g., average emissions per monetary value of goods).
Organizational Boundary: Bajio is taking a financial control approach, which assumes that their business has financial control over its operations and the ability to direct the financial and operating policies over these activities.
Operational Boundary: In order to set their operational boundaries, Bajio must report their Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions) and are voluntarily reporting their Scope 3 (indirect emissions). For more information on see table below:
Bajio’s Carbon Footprint
Below is a list of what we included in Bajio’s 2020 Carbon Footprint Report:
- 1.1 Heating: Bajio moved into its offices in New Smyrna, Florida in October 2020, and as you can imagine, they didn’t have a need for heating their building.
- 1.2 Mobile Sources: Bajio didn’t have any mobile sources of fuel for 2020.
- 2.1 Electricity: Bajio’s office is in a shared building and we estimated by square footage the percentage of the building’s overall energy usage and associate emissions, which was 60%.
- 3.1 Purchased Goods & Services: Bajio had 250 samples made in 2020, but this amount was deemed not material, but did account for the embodied carbon of the Lens Cutter Manufacturing Equipment purchased in 2020.
- 3.2 Capital Goods: Not applicable.
- 3.3 Fuel & Energy Related Activities: I accounted for (estimated) the travel of my clients who came to fish with me.
- 3.4 Inbound Shipments: Bajio accounted for the emissions associated with the shipping of all 250 sample pairs of sunglasses in 2020, as well as sunglass displays.
- 3.5 Waste Generated in Operations: Bajio estimated the amount of cardboard waste generated in its operations and accounted for the associated emissions.
- 3.6 Business Travel: 2020 was a weird travel year due to COVID, but Bajio accounted for the driving miles for photo shoots and additional business travel.
- 3.7 Employee Commuting: Bajio accounted for the emissions associated with employee commuting.
- 3.9 Shipments to Customers: Bajio accounted for the emissions associated with shipping samples.
That said, in following the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, we did not include some of the recommended categories because they were deemed not applicable, such as: capital goods, upstream leased assets and end-of-life of sold products.
How Bajio Sunglasses Achieved Carbon Neutrality
Before I explain how Bajio Sunglasses went carbon neutral, I feel it’s also important to define carbon offsets:
Carbon Offsets: “An offset project is “a specific activity or set of activities intended to reduce GHG emissions, increase the storage of carbon, or enhance GHG removals from the atmosphere.” The project must be deemed additional; the resulting emissions reductions must be real, permanent, and verified; and credits (i.e, offsets) issued for verified emissions reductions must be enforceable.”
So, you are probably wondering, how did Bajio Sunglasses go carbon neutral if our carbon footprint is 29.4 mtCO2e? In short, Bajio purchased carbon offsets for our Scope 1, 2 & 3. Bajio decided to purchase offsets from the Sea of Change project, which is a Blue Carbon project that “works to plant mangroves which saves the shorelines and removes carbon while helping the locals thrive” through the nonprofit, Cool Effect. This carbon offset project reduces GHG emissions, is additional, verified and permanent. Here’s some additional information on the Sea of Change project:
Project Type: Nature-based Removal
Carbon Standard: Verra
Vintage: 2019-2020
Additionality: Carbon finance provides seedlings and labor for project expansion
Permanence: 30 year contracts are in place to ensure the project continues
Site Visit: October 2018
“This project reduces ~ 184,006 tonnes of emissions per year. This project works to restore those forests with 6 million mangrove trees planted. In Myanmar, only 16% of the original mangrove forest remains along the coastline. Mangroves can capture 5 times more carbon than terrestrial trees and sequester carbon up to 400% faster than land-based tropical rainforests. They are nurseries for juvenile marine species, prevent saltwater intrusion in crops, and safeguard shorelines during tropical storms.
Human activity, including clearing mangrove for firewood, farming rice, palm oil, and shrimp, lead to mangrove destruction. The vulnerable communities of Myanmar struggle with poverty and do what they can to survive. However, these activities decimate the very ecosystem and resources that protect and nourish these communities.
The project also works with the local population to adapt to more sustainable lifestyles. Project experts demonstrated to local communities that the income generated in harmony with a healthy coastal ecosystem can meet or exceed the income generated by destructive practices. When mangroves thrive, fish populations recover, shrimp and crab return in mass, and plants grow naturally in the forests. All can be sustainably harvested for food or to sell.”
Bajio Sunglasses knows and understands that the best action it can take to solve the climate crisis is to reduce its carbon footprint to protect the flats that they love and are its namesake. Bajio knows that carbon offsets are not the perfect solution, but feel strongly that we need lots of imperfect solutions if we are going to win the battle against climate change. That said, achieving carbon neutrality is an achievement Bajio is very proud. Bajo is simply trying to do its part to protect the flats and fish species that they love. The future looks bright for Bajio Sunglasses…you better where carbon neutral shades!
Bajio Sunglasses 2020 Carbon Footprint calculated with the Fly Fishing Climate Alliance Carbon Measurement Tool and the Report was produced by Emerger Strategies.
To learn more about Bajio Sunglasses Sustainability Initiatives, please visit: https://bajiosunglasses.com/pages/sustainability