Over the past few weeks Carbon Catablog has been talking to providers in the voluntary market, working under the non-profit designation.

We’ve featured Russell from CarbonFund in the US: “Being a nonprofit allows us to focus solely on our mission: reduce greenhouse gases, fighting global warming, hastening the transition to a clean energy future;” and Phil from PURE in the UK, “PURE deliberately does not own carbon credits (or projects) as we think that is a potential conflict of interest…”

Making our way around the globe, the next stop is Switzerland’s myclimate. They advertise, “A good reason to choose myclimate: in a study by Tufts University myclimate is rated amongst four carbon offset providers worldwide that are recommended without any reservations.”

Today we meet with Kathrin Dellantonio, from sales and marketing at myclimate. Here’s what she has to say:

Carbon Catablog: As a non-profit, what tax advantages can you bring to (a) individuals, and (b) businesses which purchase offsets through you?

Kathrin Dellantonio: We are a non-profit foundation in Switzerland, therefore tax deduction is possible here. At the moment we are trying to get this status also in Germany and the UK.

CC: Aside from the tax benefits, do you think a non-profit organization is a more appropriate structure for a carbon offset provider? If so, why?

KD: Yes, because we can guarantee that as much money as possible is invested into the projects. Also trust and credibility is higher if you do this to make a real contribution to climate protection and not to increase your own wealth!

CC: How would you respond to the criticism that only organizations which seek profit are likely to be run efficiently? Do you think you can compete with for profit providers over the long term?

KD: I am hearing this criticism for the first time. As we don’t have any profit interests, we guarantee that the largest percentage of the money goes to the projects. This is always one of the most important criteria for companies and individuals to offset with us!

CC: Who are your biggest offset buyers - individuals or companies? Can you disclose any names of people/organizations who offset with you?

KD: Both individuals and companies are just as important. Some examples of big clients are UNEP, Coca Cola, HSBC, Price Waterhouse Coopers, FIFA, the World Economic Forum, Fleurop, Swiss, Lufthansa, Tuifly, Virgin Atlantic, Kuoni and many more!

CC: Do you have a favorite or most popular project? If so, please explain.

KD: All of our projects comply with the highest standards for offset projects, i.e. the CDM and / or the Gold Standard and guarantee that the project contributes to sustainable development. Therefore it would be very difficult for me to recommend one single project.

CC: Please describe your organization’s rationale for becoming a non-profit. Is it a matter of ethics?

KD: Yes, for us it was clear from the beginning that we want to do this on a non profit basis

CC: How many tons of carbon did your org help offset in 2007?

KD: We don’t have the exact data yet, but it will be around 100,000 tons.

CC: Do you have buyers from other continents?

KD: Yes, but the majority is from Europe.

Thanks Katrin!

myclimate is the only carbon offset provider from Switzerland that we have listed in our database. And likewise they are the only provider to sell offsets in Swiss francs. For a complete listing of other providers in Europe, for profit and non-profit, click here.

Next week we’ll be talking to Ruy Korscha Anaya de la Rosa from Goodplanet (Action Carbone) in France.