The Climate Trust, founded June 26, 1997

20 Things You May Not Know about The Climate Trust

If you’re considering a career with The Climate Trust, here are some fun facts to get you acquainted with our culture.

Culture

1. We have been honored as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to work for by Oregon Business Magazine for three years running
2. The team gives back to the community each year through a group volunteer activity, and staff are encouraged to make a difference individually through paid volunteer hours
3. The whole staff takes part in quarterly outings that build camaraderie, and inspire exploration of the outdoors and our vibrant urban community. Can anyone say, whitewater rafting?!
4. 100% of staff bike, walk or take public transit to and from the office—and we’re rewarded for doing it!
5. Bring your dog to the office, or hang out with your pooch at home using our work from home policy

History

1. We’ve been around since 1997—we’re actually the oldest carbon entity in the nation!
2. We operate under the Oregon Carbon Dioxide Standard, the nation’s first legislation to curb carbon dioxide emissions
3. To date, all regulated Oregon utilities have chosen to mitigate their emissions through The Trust
4. In 2014, The Trust committed its milestone $10 millionth dollar to purchasing offsets
5. The Trust manages multiple special purpose programs in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Montana, California, and Massachusetts—including the prestigious NW Natural Smart Energy Program

Our Work

1. Our business model provides capital to early-stage projects that rely upon revenues from carbon markets
2. We invest in forestry, grassland conservation, and livestock digester carbon reduction projects
3. Our projects are contracted to generate over 5.5M tons in emission reductions, equal to taking 1,161,785 passenger vehicles off the road
4. 55% of the money we invest on behalf of utilities stays in Oregon
5. We wrote the first standard for a US offset project in 2001; founded the Offset Quality Initiative in 2007; and transacted the first ever grassland conservation and nutrient management agricultural credits—yep, we’re accomplished!

Fun Facts!

1. We have a stuffed hedgehog named Hans—he may land on your desk if you’ve been particularly awesome
2. Sometimes we leave early to celebrate, just to make sure the bar downstairs doesn’t go out of business
3. Every Thursday, we get together to eat a communal salad and sometimes watch sobering (and inspiring) climate-related documentaries; everyone needs a shoulder to cry on
4. Our staff tends to get published—a lot. There are plenty of opportunities to write whitepapers, reports, articles and blogs. The Trust has been mentioned and quoted in quality publications such as Slate, Scientific American and Ecosystem Marketplace
5. Our staff also speak at conferences and get invited to sit on a lot of panels; I hope you’re not shy