We know that plastic pollution in our oceans is a major problem because we can actually see the problem, but what’s happening below the surface has many scientists worried: deoxygenation. According to a recent report, “rising nutrient loads coupled with climate change – each resulting from human activities – are changing the ocean biochemistry and increasing oxygen consumption.” As our oceans warm, oxygen levels in large swaths of the deep ocean are losing oxygen, and that is not good news for many species, including the blue marlin the Stream Weaver pursues. How do we stop our oceans from warming? The answer is relatively simple: rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Luckily, there are captains like Timmy Kidwell and boat owners like Rusty and Wes Carter who understand the importance of emitting fewer greenhouse gas emissions to protect the species they love on the sport fishing boat, the Stream Weaver.
The first step in helping Stream Weaver rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions was to measure its carbon footprint, which is the total of amount of greenhouse gas that are emitted into the atmosphere by Stream Weaver. Next, we looked at ways to reduce the Stream Weaver’s carbon footprint. Finally, we purchased nature-based carbon offsets for the total amount of Stream Weaver’s carbon footprint to achieve carbon neutrality, which 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) ….” We have successfully measured Stream Weaver’s carbon footprint and purchased carbon offsets for the total amount of greenhouse gases Stream Weaver emitted in 2021, covering everything from diesel fuel burned, electricity used at the boat slip, to employee commuting, the travel from anglers coming to fish on the Stream Weaver, and even purchased goods and services. We are thrilled to announce that Stream Weaver is the world’s first carbon neutral sport fishing boat!
Methodology
The Stream Weaver’s 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: The Stream Weaver is taking an operational control approach, which assumes that the facilities, fleets, and other equipment that you own and operate are within your GHG boundary.
Operational Boundary: In order to set their operational boundaries, Stream Weaver must report their Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions) and are voluntarily reporting their Scope 3 (indirect emissions).
| Scope | Emission Type | Definition |
| Scope 1 | Direct Emissions | GHG emissions directly from operations that are owned or controlled by the reporting company. |
| Scope 2 | Indirect Emissions | Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating or cooling consumed by the reporting company. |
| Scope 3 | Indirect Emissions | All indirect emissions (not included in Scope 2) that occur in the value chain of the reporting company, including both upstream and downstream emissions. |
Using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting Standard, we were able to measure the appropriate emission sources, such as boat and generator fuel, purchased electricity, purchased goods & services, fuel & energy related activities, waste generated in operations, business travel and employee commuting.
Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint is defined by the EPA as, “the total amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere each year by a person, family, building, organization, or company. A person’s carbon footprint includes greenhouse gas emissions from fuel that an individual burns directly, such as by heating a home or riding in a car. It also includes greenhouse gases that come from producing the goods or services that the individual uses, including emissions from power plants that make electricity, factories that make products, and landfills where trash gets sent.”
Below is a summary of Stream Weaver’s 2021 carbon footprint:
- 1.1 Stationary Combustion: Not applicable.
- 1.2 Mobile Sources: We accounted for 15,000 gallons of diesel burned for fuel and the generator.
- 2.1 Purchased Electricity: We accounted for the 11,759 kWh of purchased electricity from the boat slip power bills.
- 3.1 Purchased Goods & Services: We accounted for $7,556 of meals & entertainment (food & beverage), as well as $173,221 in supplies (fishing gear and supplies).
- 3.2 Capital Goods: We did not account for any capital goods.
- 3.3 Fuel & Energy Related Activities: We accounted for an estimated 18,000 vehicle miles driven from clients who travelled to fish on the Stream Weaver.
- 3.4 Inbound Shipments: Not applicable.
- 3.5 Waste Generated in Operations: We conducted a waste audit on 6/16/21, and found the following pieces of waste from one day of fishing: fishing line (2), cans (52), plastic bottles (4), plastic packaging (58), napkins/paper (47), paper plates (15) and organic waste (75). The data (% by volume) from the waste audit are as follows:
- Cans: 20%
- Plastic: 25%
- Paper: 25%
- Organic: 30%
Based off this data, we estimated the weight of this waste to be 10 pounds. 10 pounds multiplied by 50 days fishing is 500 pounds of waste generated. 45% can be recycled and 55% can be composted, which meets the criteria for zero waste assuming all of the plastic packaging and fishing line can be recycled. The estimate carbon footprint for this waste is 0.02 mtCO2e, which is not material, so not included in the final carbon footprint.
- 3.6 Business Travel: We accounted for the 1,782 air travel miles.
- 3.7 Employee Commuting: We accounted for Timmy’s 24,000 commute miles and Scott’s 5,000 commute miles.
- 3.9 Shipments to Customers: Not applicable.
| Scope | Emission Type | Definition | GHG Emissions |
| Scope 1 | Direct Emissions | GHG emissions directly from operations that are owned or controlled by the reporting company. | 154.96 mtCO2e |
| Scope 2 | Indirect Emissions | Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating or cooling consumed by the reporting company. | 3.99 mtCO2e |
| Scope 3 | Indirect Emissions | All indirect emissions (not included in Scope 2) that occur in the value chain of the reporting company, including both upstream and downstream emissions. | 235.03 mtCO2e |
| Stream Weaver 2021 Carbon Footprint | 393.98 mtCO2e* |
Stream Weaver is the World’s 1st Carbon Neutral Sport Fishing Boat
Now that we have measured Stream Weaver’s carbon footprint, the steps to achieve carbon neutrality are relatively straight-forward, which are to take steps to reduce its carbon footprint in the future, but to rely heavily on carbon offsets for 2021 emissions. In order for carbon credits to be credible, they need to reduce emissions, be additional, verified and permanent. Since we are looking back at 2021, we can’t reduce Stream Weaver’s carbon footprint, so we will purchase enough carbon credits (offsets) to offset 393.98 mtCO2e. Stream Weaver purchased 400 mtCO2e from the Sea of Change project, which is a blue carbon project that is planting mangroves that saves shorelines, removes carbon and is helping local communities thrive in Myanmar. Here is some additional information on the Sea of Change Project:
| SEA OF CHANGE BLUE CARBON 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 |
| What it does? | This project reduces 184,006 tonnes of emissions per year. This project works to restore those forests with 6 million mangrove trees planted. They are nurseries for juvenile marine species, prevent saltwater intrusion in crops, and safeguard shorelines during tropical storms. |
| Benefits | Protects lives and homes in vulnerable coastal areas from tsunamis, cyclones, and other extreme weather. Improves livelihoods in poverty-stricken communities with new business opportunities, including training in identifying, raising, and planting mangroves. Provides opportunities for women as workers and in leadership positions. Reduces risk of seashore erosion and loss of agricultural land due to increasing sea level rise. Maintains biodiversity and produces life-bearing ecosystem services. |
As a result of measuring it’s carbon footprint, and purchasing 400 mtCO2e of carbon credits, the Stream Weaver is officially the world’s 1st carbon neutral sport fishing boat! Now the real work begins to how we can reduce Stream Weaver’s carbon footprint, which will be detailed in the Climate Action Plan.
Looking Ahead: Climate Action Plan
According to the IPCC, we must halve global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and be at Net-Zero emissions by 2050. We know a sport fishing boat can go carbon neutral, but can a sport fishing boat achieve Net-Zero emissions? Let’s take a closer look.
If we were to set a goal of Net-Zero emissions by 2050 for the Stream Weaver, we would need to do the following:
- 50% GHG emissions reduction by 2030;
- 90% GHG emissions reduction by 2050;
- 10% unavoidable GHG emissions removed as a type of offset.
We know that we can’t manage what we don’t measure, which is why measuring your carbon footprint is a critical step in solving the climate crisis. The next steps will be about finding ways to reduce the Stream Weaver’s carbon footprint. Below is a list of boating best practices Stream Weaver can execute to reduce its carbon footprint:
| Scope | Action | Impact | 2021 GHG Emissions | 2022 GHG Emissions Reduction Potential |
| Scope 1.2 | Switch to marine biodiesel for fuel.* | According to biodiesel.org, making the switch could reduce Scope 1 emissions by 86%. | 154.96 mtCO2e | 21.69 mtCO2e |
| Scope 2 | Install LED lights at the boat slip | Impact is small, but we know LED’s are more energy efficient. | 3.99 mtCO2e | ?? |
| Scope 2 | Install an 8kWh solar array for an estimated 12,800 kWh of production to provide power 100% of for the boat slip.** | 100% Renewable Energy | 3.99 mtCO2e | 0.00 mtCO2e |
| Scope 3.1 | Not much you can do other than buy local food for the boat and support fishing tackle suppliers that are also reducing their carbon footprint. | n/a | 132.20 mtCO2e | 132.20 mtCO2e |
| Scope 3.3 | Consider EV’s for guest coming to and from the boat. | Zero emission electric vehicles could significantly reduce emissions assuming the EV’s are charged with renewable energy. | 39.55 mtCO2e | 0.00 mtCO2e |
| Scope 3.5 | Do whatever you can to reduce waste. | Refuse single-use items, go reusable, recycle and compost. | 0.2 mtCO2e | 0.00 mtCO2e |
| Scope 3.6 | Reduce air travel whenever possible by carpooling, or consider sourcing sustainable aviation fuel, if available. | Carpooling via automobile emits the fewest GHG emissions. 4 people sharing a car = 104 kg CO2 vs. 4 seats on an airplane = 736 kc CO2. | 21.00 mtCO2e | 21.00 mtCO2e |
| Scope 3.7 | Supply EV’s to Timmy and Scott. | Zero emission electric vehicles could significantly reduce emissions assuming the EV’s are charged with renewable energy. | 42.50 mtCO2e | 0.00 mtCO2e |
| TOTAL | 393.98 mtCO2e | 174.89 mtCO2e | ||
| % Reduction | 55% | |||
Based off the above estimates, switching to biodiesel, renewable energy and electric vehicles could reduce Stream Weaver’s carbon footprint by 55%, which would meet the science-based targets (50% GHG reductions my 2030) required to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. For the remaining 45%, the Stream Weaver could explore sustainable aviation, in addition to sourcing purchased goods & services from companies also committed to Net-Zero emissions. Now that we understand Stream Weaver’s carbon footprint, we can begin managing its carbon footprint, and Stream Weaver could also become the world’s 1st Net-Zero emissions sport fishing boat!
Here is some additional steps Stream Weaver can take to minimize its environmental impact:
- Land-based runoff and recreational boats account for 64% of the petroleum that enters North American marine waters each year, so purchase a fuel bib to prevent fuel from entering the water.
- Many cleaning products are harmful to aquatic life, water quality, and the overall ecosystem. Some chemicals damage fish tissues, while others create nutrient imbalances leading to algal blooms. Whether you clean your boat on land or in the water, the choice of product that you use is important, so purchase non-toxic cleaning products.
- Utilize reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, plates, cutlery, and napkins etc. to reduce waste on the Stream Weaver.
As previously mentioned, you can’t manage what you don’t measure, by taking the time to measure Stream Weaver’s carbon footprint, Stream Weaver was able to achieve carbon neutrality through the purchase of carbon offsets. By planting mangroves, Stream Weaver is helping to restore nature and contribute to reducing 184,006 tonnes of emissions per year. Stream Weaver has additional opportunities to rapidly reduce its carbon footprint, which is good for the planet, our oceans and human wellbeing. Congratulations!
