US band Pearl Jam will offset carbon dioxide emissions resulting from their 2015 live performances through strategic investments in carbon mitigation projects, Conservation International confirmed.
The band is performing before nearly half-a-million fans on its tour of Latin America, which began on November 4, 2015 and wraps up on November 28 in Mexico City.
Their two newest investments are both certified REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation 'plus') projects in South America: Conservation International's Alto Mayo Project in Peru, and Carbonfund.org Foundation's Valparaiso Amazon Rainforest Project in Brazil.
"I think it's good to acknowledge the negative impacts our business has on the planet, right alongside the positive ones. We tour. Our tours emit carbon dioxide. We are constantly looking at ways to reduce and mitigate that," says Pearl Jam' Stone Gossard.
"Our strategy has been to essentially 'tax' ourselves for our CO2-equivalent emissions, and invest that money into carbon mitigation projects. Hopefully this will serve as inspiration for other businesses and governments exploring ways to offset their carbon footprints," he added.
Pearl Jam has been tracking tour-related carbon emissions since 2003, and to-date has made mitigation investments totaling over $500,000 USD.
The Conservation International and Carbonfund.org Foundation projects that the band is investing in this year are certified at the highest levels, and structured to help fight the negative impacts of climate change while providing real benefits to the local communities.
Conservation International's Alto Mayo Protected Forest project in Peru is the world's first REDD+ project in a protected area.
This project is demonstrating to policy makers and investors the tremendous potential of tropical forests to tackle climate change while generating co-benefits and sustaining critical ecosystem services including regulating water, preventing soil erosion and enhancing crop yields through natural pollination and pest control.
"Pearl Jam's ongoing efforts to offset their impact is an important reminder that we can fight climate change at every level," said Peter Seligmann, CEO of Conservation International (CI).
"We're thrilled to partner with Pearl Jam in this important environmental initiative to neutralize the impact of the band's Brazil tour dates this November," says Eric Carlson, President of Carbonfund.org.
"Their ongoing leadership and commitment to 'walking the walk' should inspire their fans and other performers to follow Pearl Jam's lead," he added.
The Carbonfund.org Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, leading the fight against climate change, making it easy and affordable for any individual, business or organization to reduce and offset their climate impact and hasten the transition to a low carbon future.
Carbonfund.org achieves its goals through climate change education, carbon offsets and reductions, and public outreach.