Leonardo Academy, a charitable nonprofit organization that works to advance sustainability, announced today five opportunities to participate in the development of the Emissions Inventories, Offsets and Reduction Credits Standard (LEO-5000). Interested parties can: (1) Apply for membership on the standard development committee, (2) Apply to be an observer of the standard development process, (3) Sign up to pilot test the draft standard, (4) Sign up to use the standard once it is approved as an American National Standard and (5) Make a charitable donation to support the development of the standard. Visit the Leonardo Academy web site at: http://www.leonardoacademy.org/programs/standards/emissions-standards.html to learn more about how to engage in the LEO-5000 standard development process.

Objectives of the Standard
The objectives of LEO-5000 are to: (1) Provide transparent reporting of the scope of emissions sources being addressed and how emissions, sequestration and offsets are calculated, in order to help companies and consumers make sense of claims made by businesses about their emission reductions and offset achievements. (2) Provide an alternative methodology to the traditional one-dimensional approach of targeting single emissions by addressing the full range of emission types, including those that adversely affect climate and those that adversely affect human health. (3) Fill in the gap left by current climate emissions standards by addressing carbon sequestration in existing forests.

Need for the Standard
A wide variety of reporting methodologies are used around the globe to track emission inventories, offsets and reduction credits. However, current methodologies frequently address a relatively narrow range of both emission types and sources of emission reductions. The LEO-5000 standard proposes to provide a multi-pollutant approach that will help companies and organizations that implement energy efficiency, renewable energy and other emission reduction actions to calculate and earn reduction credits for all types of pollutants reduced, including carbon, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and mercury.

Furthermore, the need for alternative approaches with regard to what qualifies as an appropriate emission reduction source is supported by growing recognition that maintaining existing forests is a key component to effectively addressing climate change. The recent UN-REDD (the UN's Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries) discussions seek to provide recognition and rewards for the carbon-storing benefits of preserving rainforests. The LEO-5000 standard proposes to develop a systematic approach to addressing carbon sequestration in all types of forests.

Michael Arny, President of Leonardo Academy, said, "Approximately 25% of global carbon dioxide emissions are attributed to forest destruction. It is imperative that we fix the hole in our carbon bucket by systematically addressing the benefits of carbon sequestration in existing forests. Additionally, we need to expand our focus on emissions to encompass a more broad and integrated approach that covers the full range of emissions and emission reduction sources. The LEO-5000 standards development committee will seek to accomplish these goals."

How to Engage in the LEO-5000 Standard Development Process

(1) Learn more by visiting: http://www.leonardoacademy.org/programs/standards/emissions-standards.html
(2) Apply for membership on the LEO-5000 Standards Committee. Applications are available on the Leonardo Academy website and must be submitted by January 15, 2010. Please note that the application deadline has been extended from October 2, 2009.
(3) Apply for observer status. Observers may attend in-person Standards Committee meetings on a first-come, first-serve basis, subject to the availability of space, and may also participate in all Standards Committee and Subcommittee teleconferences.
(4) Contact Leonardo Academy (emissions_standard@leonardoacademy.org) if you are interested in:

a. Joining the LEO-5000 email list
b. Pilot testing the draft standard
c. Using the final standard


(5) Consider making a donation to support this development process. More information is available at: http://www.leonardoacademy.org/donate.html.

About Leonardo Academy
Leonardo Academy is a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing sustainability by leveraging innovative tools and information to motivate the competitive market. By utilizing an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability education and implementation, we strive to make sustainability practical for everyone. We develop integrative sustainability solutions designed to enhance the environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic prosperity of organizations, corporations and individuals. We envision a world filled with sustainable opportunities that can transform the way we live today and ensure the prosperity of future generations.

About Leonardo Academy Sustainability Standards Development
As an ANSI-accredited standards developer, Leonardo Academy is actively engaged in the development of voluntary consensus standards - an important tool for driving sustainability objectives through the marketplace. Leonardo Academy develops Leonardo Academy-ANSI standards and also provides process administration support to other organizations that develop sustainability standards. Our current standard development activities include: Emissions Inventories, Offsets and Reduction Credits; Sustainable Gaming; Sustainable Agriculture; Life-Cycle Impact Profile Declaration; Sustainable Vehicles; Sustainable Organizations and Sustainable Events. Learn more about these standards at: http://www.leonardoacademy.org/programs/standards.html.

Leonardo Academy

Leonardo Academy

Leonardo Academy is a charitable (501c3)nonprofit that promotes sustainability. Our primary focus is developing and supporting approaches to environmental improvement that put the competitive market to work on improving the environment. Work includes: Cleaner and Greener® recognition and certification program for emission reduction actions by companies, organizations, events, families and individuals - Key role in authoring and supporting U.S. Green Building Council' LEED® for Existing Buildings Rating System, Supporting development, implementation and documentation of LEED projects - Sustainability training and education - Prairie and savannah restoration - ANSI Accredited Standard Developer: Developing ANSI standard for emissions inventories, emission reduction credits and offsets.

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