What are Canary Tags?

Canary Tags represent investments in a project that does one of more of the following:

• Avoids releasing greenhouse gases by using renewable energy (like solar, wind, or hydro power) in place of fossil fuels,
• Avoids releasing greenhouse gases by conserving energy (like energy efficiency improvements to homes and buildings), or
• Absorbs greenhouse gases after they are emitted (like capturing methane from coal mines).

While legislation is being considered at the federal level to limit greenhouse gas emissions, currently we are operating within a voluntary carbon offset/reduction market. It is important to note that since the market is voluntary, different organizations and companies use varying standards for project selection and pricing.

One Canary Tag is equivalent to displacing one ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and therefore works to reduce pollution that is causing global warming. To be qualified as a Canary Tag project, a project must meet the following criteria:

• Verifiable - the greenhouse gas savings must be able to be calculated and verified by a reputable organization to make sure it really is reducing carbon emissions.
• Local – it must be close to home. Priority projects are those in and around Aspen. As the program grows, the City of Aspen may invest in regional projects within a 500-mile radius of Aspen.
• Permanence – the results of the project must last for 10 or more years.

The City of Aspen retires Canary Tags on behalf of purchasers, guaranteeing that your contribution results in a real and lasting investment in carbon reduction. This ensures that each Canary Tag is only accounted for once and is never resold.