This news story was originally published on ebayinc.com. You can find out more about South Pole's Climate Neutral Checkout here.
Dreilinden/Berlin, 2 November 2020 – eBay Germany customers can now compensate for emissions associated with their online shopping with just a few clicks. "Shop and protect the climate" is a new initiative that gives customers insight into the CO2 emissions associated with their eBay purchase, and the opportunity to take action. The CO2 footprint of online shopping will be offset by investments in international projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in partnership with South Pole, an award-winning project developer and climate solutions provider. In the pilot phase launching today, the offer will be limited to certain new electronics products (about 10 million live listings), with an expansion planned in 2021.
The idea is simple: From now on, anyone who shops at eBay.de can offset the associated greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to reducing carbon emissions to the maximum extent possible, offsetting emissions is an essential part of climate protection. Through this program, eBay Germany offers customers the opportunity to offset their CO2 footprint, becoming more aware of the climate impact of their actions and support high quality climate protection projects.
eBay creates the highest possible transparency. The method developed by South Pole to calculate the footprint of an eBay purchase combines scientific data with a highly transparent, user-friendly process. In order to be able to display the multitude of products offered by traders on eBay, South Pole's experts modelled the emissions of “average products" from the procurement of raw materials all the way to delivery within defined eBay categories. To model the average product, they analyzed the best-selling products. Based on this analysis, the team defined a representative average weight for each product category and an emission factor. Based on the modelled weight (in kg) and the emission factor (kgCO2e/kg product), the South Pole consultants then calculated the CO2 emissions.
To give customers a choice in what type of initiative to support, eBay Germany will offer various climate protection projects from South Pole's portfolio, certified according to international standards.
This allows buyers to protect threatened forests, replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, or foster the use of more efficient cookstoves in Rwanda. What all projects have in common is that they promote a long-term and lasting improvement in the livelihoods of the local population.
Sustainabilityis part of eBay's DNA. Since its founding 25 years ago, the company has facilitated the trade of used products. As a company, it takes responsibility and has developed ambitious goals to significantly reduce its own emissions by 2030 and to rely 100 percent on renewable energy by 2025.
Oliver Klinck, Managing Director of eBay Germany, says: "At eBay, we are committed to advancing a sustainable future for our communities. With this in mind, we're delighted to share that we are taking a further step on our marketplace and are now offering a CO2 compensated transaction for 10 million items on our marketplace."
Martin Vogel, Senior Director Electronics & Innovations, adds: "The launch of the horizontal Refurbished hub was a big step towards sustainability and the circular economy. Carbon offsetting is the next step to compensate for the carbon footprint of new items. We are proud to be the first horizontal marketplace to offer such an innovative concept. Working with South Pole enables our customers to become active themselves. Simple, understandable and with certified impact."
"eBay stands for recycling and resource protection, but also for innovation and technological excellence. We are proud to support eBay Germany in its climate ambition by giving all eBay Germany customers the opportunity to actively contribute to a greener and cleaner tomorrow", says Renat Heuberger, CEO of South Pole.
Outlook: In the pilot phase, eBay Germany initially wants to collect comprehensive feedback. If the project meets with the expected customer response, it will be extended in 2021 to cover additional categories.
Further information can be found at ebayinc.com. Daily news from eBay can be found in the press area and on our Twitter account @eBayDE_News.
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eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) is a leading global trading company that connects millions of buyers with sellers in 190 markets around the world and that creates economic opportunities for individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations of all sizes. The eBay platforms include the online marketplace ebay.com, the country specific eBay marketplaces like ebay.de and the mobile eBay apps. eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces with a range of products of unique breadth and depth. Further information can be found at ebayinc.com.
Find out more about South Pole's Climate Neutral Checkout here.
