ohio river basin water quality credit program€¦ · the winner of the coveted united states water...

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Ohio River Basin Water Quality Credit Program Program Overview Credits align with sustainability disclosures and initiatives

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Page 1: Ohio River Basin Water Quality Credit Program€¦ · The winner of the coveted United States Water Prize (2015), the Ohio River Basin Water Quality Trading Project is the most recognized

Ohio River Basin Water Quality Credit ProgramProgram Overview

Credits align with sustainability disclosures

and initiatives

Page 2: Ohio River Basin Water Quality Credit Program€¦ · The winner of the coveted United States Water Prize (2015), the Ohio River Basin Water Quality Trading Project is the most recognized

An excess of nutrients, primarily nitro-

gen and phosphorous from agricultural

systems, is having serious impacts on

ecosystems and waterways throughout

the world. The typical nitrogen footprint

per person in the United States from food

alone is 28 kilograms per year, and while

it is critical to take actions today to ad-

dress such pollution, it can be difficult to

change current behaviors, manufacturing

practices, and nutrient sources to quickly

address the impacts.

Background

Food consumption Food production Energy use

Plant

Dairy /

eggs

/ fish

Meat

Housin

g

Transp

ort

Goods

& servi

ces

Personal nitrogen footprint in the US

Nitro

gen

foot

prin

t (kg

/cap

ita/y

ear)

12

14 Total: 39 kg N/yr

Food: 28 kg N/yr

Consumption: 5 kg N/yr Production: 23 kg N/yrEnergy: 11 kg N/yr08

06

04

02

0

10

NN

P

The Ohio River Basin Water Quality Trading project is

the world’s largest water quality credit program. The

50-year-old nonprofit research organization, the Elec-

tric Power Research Institute (EPRI), led the develop-

ment of the program along with a collaboration of

companies, farmers, state and federal agencies and

environmental groups. Focused on environmental

The winner of the coveted United States Water Prize (2015), the Ohio River Basin Water Quality Trading Project is the

most recognized domestic program creating verified and registered credits to improve water quality. First Climate is

proud to offer these water quality credits to offset supply chain impacts, meet corporate sustainability goals, manage

personal environmental footprints, and meet U.S. water permit compliance obligations.

impacts from diverse sources, the project has faci-

litated broad collaborations to achieve a common

commitment to improving water quality and broader

environmental goals. In addition to the water quality

improvements, the effort qualitatively tracks ancillary

social and ecological benefits such as the protection of

pollinators and rare species, farm animal health, and

farmer support.

2Dedicated, Naturally.

Ohio River Basin Water Quality Credit Program

www.firstclimate.com

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.

Page 3: Ohio River Basin Water Quality Credit Program€¦ · The winner of the coveted United States Water Prize (2015), the Ohio River Basin Water Quality Trading Project is the most recognized

3Dedicated, Naturally.

“Through solid science, transparency, and exceptional management,the EPRI project is a national model for how to advance non-traditional collaborations that benefit our common good. Now companies have

the opportunity to be part of this effort, receive turn-key verified credits to meet their stewardship goals, and support local communities. Efforts like this will be critical for protecting America’s waters for

years to come.”

Bob Perciasepe, President, Center For Climate and Energy SolutionsFormer Deputy Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency

Working with local farmers and private landowners in

Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, the project funds agricultu-

ral conservation practices that reduce nutrient loading-

waterways and ecosystems.

The credits protect local water quality and tackle the pri-

mary culprits causing the Gulf of Mexico hypoxia dead

zone, one of the largest ocean dead zones in the world.

Specifically, each credit equals one pound of nutrient

(nitrogen or phosphorous) reduction, plus associated

ancillary benefits including pollinator habitat, habitat

enhancement, and social benefits to farmers.

A thorough and transparent process ensures that credits

represent real environmental improvements which have

been verified by state agencies. Backed by watershed

modeling, on-the-ground project verification, and rigo-

rous credit posting run by the award-winning Environ-

mental Registry from IHS Markit, the program is the

most scientifically rigorous and trackable water quality

trading program in the world. Each credit comes with

a unique serial number, on-farm photos, and full verifi-

cation documentation signed by state agencies so that

anyone can confirm the legitimacy of every conservati-

on practice, every pound of nutrient, and every credit.

www.firstclimate.com

More information at http://wqt.epri.com

For further information visit the project´s official Youtube channel.

Page 4: Ohio River Basin Water Quality Credit Program€¦ · The winner of the coveted United States Water Prize (2015), the Ohio River Basin Water Quality Trading Project is the most recognized

www.firstclimate.com

Jacob BourgeoisFirst Climate Markets AG

jacob [email protected]

+1-830-320-1578

4Dedicated, Naturally.

Opportunities

CREDIT PURCHASE OUTCOMES

Support U.S. small farmers.

Protect local and regional water quality.

Protect the Gulf of Mexico.

Offset personal and corporate impacts.

Dedicated, Naturally.

CREDIT PURCHASE BENEFITS

Meet personal and corporate stewardship targets.

Report credit purchase within United Nations Sustain-

able Development Goals (Goal 6), CDP Water, Global

Reporting Initiative, and CEO Water Mandate.

First Climate is pleased to advise you in how you can use the EPRI’s water quality

credits to achieve your water goals. Contact us to support projects in the Ohio River

Valley, or purchase credits now at:

www.firstclimate.com/en/water-quality-credits