Carbon Neutral Offset Projects
Shaklee's 2023 carbon neutral protocol
The greenhouse gas inventory for 2023, which includes all Shaklee-operated facilities worldwide—in the US, Canada, Japan, China, Malaysia, and Taiwan—was prepared by WSP Global. This inventory follows the Greenhouse Gas Protocol for all six Kyoto-defined greenhouse gases. Shaklee established operational boundaries for its global greenhouse gas emissions inventory and calculated the carbon footprint from Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. The total greenhouse gas emissions from Shaklee’s worldwide operations in 2023 were measured and converted to metric tons of CO2 equivalent. To offset its carbon footprint worldwide, Shaklee partnered with “STX” and “Climate Impact Partners”, utilizing Green-e (and equivalent) certified renewable energy credits and Gold Standard carbon offsets.
Solar-Powered Lighting Installation
Sri Lanka and India
Less than 25% of the populations in Sri Lanka and India have access to electricity. Solar photovoltaics offer a healthy alternative to extending the power grid or constructing fossil-fueled power plants. Shaklee supported a project to replace kerosene lamps, diesel generators and batteries with solar photovoltaics in Sri Lanka and India. Over the 20-year lifetime, one household 35 watt solar photovoltaic system will prevent more than six tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
Malawi, Africa
Shaklee partnered with Dr. Jeffrey Sachs and The Earth Institute at Columbia University to install solar-powered lighting in African villages. This project provides a sustainable energy resource to remote areas and also supports the 2015 United Nations' Millennium Development Goals. The installation of solar-powered LED lanterns in 2007 replaces inefficient and unhealthy kerosene wick lamps and encourages renewable energy sources as a sustainable model. For the villagers, this will have a tremendous impact and provide the means for increased productivity, higher earnings potential, and expanded hours for education.
Wind Energy
Shaklee supported construction of The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Wind Turbine Project–the first large-scale Native American owned and operated wind turbine. The 750 kilowatt turbine was installed by Native Energy on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.
RECs
Shaklee purchased renewable energy credits (RECs) from a variety of projects in countries in which we generated emissions. Previously, Shaklee's RECs came from an Oklahoma wind project and the Hancock Wind Energy Center, home to 148 different 660-kilowatt turbines with a total capacity of 98 megawatts – enough electricity to power approximately 33,000 US homes. Another benefit of this wind farm is that the land remains in agricultural use while the turbines are in operation, using the same amount of land for multiple uses and benefits. Renewable Energy Credits purchased were based on consumption data and calculated scope 1 emissions. Shaklee purchases RECs (3,065 kWh) for its scope 2 purchased in 2023.
Fuel Conversion
Portland Public Schools
Portland Public Schools had about 200 steam generating boilers which were not cost effective. Shaklee helped fund a project to switch boilers in the Portland schools from oil burners to standard gas burners, which increases efficiency. The retrofit lowered carbon emissions and also reduced energy costs for the school district.
San Bernardino County School Buses
The majority of school children in the United States travel to school each day riding in school buses run on traditional petroleum-based diesel fuel. These buses expose children and others in the community to dangerous pollutants that are harmful to their health. Shaklee supported a project to convert school buses in San Bernardino County, California from petroleum-based diesel fuel to biodiesel fuel made from vegetable oil, a renewal source. The retrofit not only decreased greenhouse gas emissions, but it also reduced tailpipe emissions of pollutants that can aggravate asthma in children.
Offsets
Bondhu Chula Stoves, Bangladesh
Less than 20% of the 35 million Bangladeshi households have access to clean cooking. The Bondhu Chula, which loosely translates as the ‘friendly stove’ in Bengali is solving this problem. Traditionally, cooking is done over an open firepit, releasing smoke and particulate pollutants. These pollutants contribute to nearly 50,000 premature deaths a year and cause millions in the country to suffer from lung, eye, or skin infections.
The Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation is changing this through its Bondhu Chula, which is designed to ensure more efficient and cleaner home cooking. Carbon finance is used to subsidize 50% of the cost of stove installation, provide after sales services, as well as a seven-day training program for the local entrepreneurs. This project has proved to be highly successful as over 5 million stoves have been installed to date.
In 2023 Shaklee supported the Bondhu Chula program by purchasing offsets (365 t Co2e) for its scope 1 emissions.
