Step 4: When it's impossible to avoid, hit the offset button
In this blog series, with the help of the Green Games Guide - the UK's first resource for tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint - I’ll be answering the all-important question: what can your game business do to tackle climate change?
So far, we’ve addressed:
- How to set your scope and timeline
- How to calculate your carbon footprint
- How to reduce your carbon footprint
Now it's time to look at Step 4 from Playing for the Planet's Five Step Process: when it's impossible to avoid, hit the offset button.
What do you want to offset?
Offsetting is the last resort and should only be considered once you've exhausted actions to reduce your carbon footprint completely. Think carefully about what you want to offset with consideration to the complete lifecycle of a game and its impact on the environment.
Remember it's not just your team that has an impact - it's worth thinking about consumers and how you might offset the impact of your game being played too.
Is your offsetting scheme right for your business?
There are lots of offsetting schemes out there to explore so make sure you find the right one for your business.
People and the planet
Offsetting projects can benefit the environment in numerous ways, for example by providing renewable energy sources and replanting forests. Some also offer pro-social/poverty benefits, so it's worth looking out for schemes that benefit people and the planet for maximum impact.
The more you shop around, you'll get a sense for the kind of schemes that align best with your business priorities and team interests.
Accreditation and standards
When you're selecting your offsetting scheme, go for one that you're confident will deliver on its promises - with permanent, quantifiable and verifiable results. There are some good accreditation programmes and standards available to do this, including:
You can also select an offset project from the UN carbon offset platform which are all certified.
Case study
Space Ape has now offset 200% of its carbon footprint, reduced its studio footprint by 25% in 2019 and committed to reduce it by a further 10% in 2020.
Checkout their case study in the guide, which provides lots of detail on the different categories of offsetting projects available. There's lots to learn from them including the fact that if it's too good to be true, it's probably too good to be true... Read the Space Ape case study.
🌍 About the Green Games Guide
The partnership between Ukie, Games London and the Playing for the Planet Alliance will also encourage the sector to think about how it can use its huge reach - the games industry has the potential to reach 1 in 3 people on the planet - to inspire players to change how they think about the environment and to start conversations about the wider collective efforts the sector can make.
Read the guide for tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint now.