The carbon market represents a dynamic national and international marketplace that operates under two main divisions: regulated and voluntary. The regulated market is primarily administered under the protocols of the Kyoto Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the secretariat located in Bonn, Germany. The voluntary market is represented by a host of options, notably the Chicago Climate Exchange and the Voluntary Carbon Standard, among others.

Standards for compliance within both the regulated and voluntary market are variable. However, the goal of these standards is to provide conformity in the application of carbon offset finances directed at reducing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Offset projects range from replanting or protecting foresty to increasing the uptake of carbon dioxide to funding expansion of non-fossil fuel energy sources. Many projects include programs that target reduction of energy use in home, transportation, business, and electricity production. The Gold Standard was devised to incorporate social and environmental dimensions for carbon offset projects.

Customers are encouraged to read more about the numerous certification and standards programs that operate in the carbon market by inspecting any of these major organizations listed.

The Carbon Store has worked with many of these standards organizations and is currently in negotiation with each and every one of these standards bodies to ensure that discriminating customers have a full range of options for their carbon offset investments. The Carbon Store offers a unique set of projects and programs that are in full harmony with the cluster of voluntary standards bodies in targeting efforts that will lead to carbon emission reductions and creation of carbon sinks from ecological goods and services. Earth Party programs are oriented towards education and outreach to promote community-based awareness and action in the reduction of carbon emissions and programs to sustain these actions throughout the remainder of the 21^st Century.

The Carbon Store's carbon offset certificate establishes that customers' financial investments will be accorded the highest standards practical for carbon offset programs that will be operated under out policy of Transparency. Customers are encouraged to contact us if they have further questions and to track the projects and programs that are targeted with carbon offset funds.