Sunset Lake Cannabis Becomes Vermont’s First Climate Neutral Certified Cannabis Farm
South Hero, VT (February 5, 2024) – Sunset Lake Cannabis, a farmer-owned cannabis cultivator and manufacturer in South Hero, VT, is proud to announce it is officially Climate Neutral Certified. Sunset Lake Cannabis joins a growing movement of socially responsible companies achieving the Climate Neutral Certified standard by measuring its 2023 greenhouse gas emissions, setting actionable carbon reduction plans, and compensating their brand footprint with eligible-verified carbon credits.
Climate Neutral Certified is the leading consumer label for climate neutrality. It’s earned by organizations and businesses that have chosen to be accountable for the greenhouse gas emissions generated in the production, operations, and shipping of their goods and services.
”We’re proud to be Vermont’s first Climate Neutral Certified cannabis farm,” says Sam Bellavance, owner of Sunset Lake Cannabis. “Because cannabis is such a new industry in the state, we have a real opportunity to address greenhouse gases and climate change right now. We think Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board has done a great job laying the groundwork for us. Now, it's our turn to make sure we minimize our carbon footprint.”
“Climate Neutral Certified companies are demonstrating immediate action on climate change is possible and essential,” says Austin Whitman, CEO of Change Climate. “Climate Neutral Certified brands have built a powerful movement that gives companies and consumers meaningful ways to act on climate—today. They are leading the way, taking immediate voluntary action to address their carbon emissions, and engaging their consumers around this important issue like never before.”
“We view Climate Neutral Certification as an extension of our agricultural practices, really,” says Cy Kupersmith, Director of Sales & Sustainability at Sunset Lake Cannabis. “Growing cannabis in the soil, under the sun and rain—it not only makes for great bud, but it also makes environmental sense. From day one we have been committed to regenerative farming practices of cover-cropping, using minimal and shallow tillage, and eliminating insecticides–all with a focus of preserving and building healthy soils, protecting native pollinators, and keeping excess nutrients out of Vermont waterways. Climate Neutral Certification is another way for us to leave things a little nicer than we found them.”
Change Climate’s certification label builds on internationally recognized carbon measurement and neutrality standards. To maintain certification, all certified brands must measure cradle-to-customer greenhouse gas emissions each year. Then, a brand must commit to reduction action plans to cut future emissions within a 12-24 month timeline, reporting progress on those plans annually. Finally, certified brands must invest in eligible-verified carbon credits to compensate for 100% of their emissions, directing investment into critical projects that remove and avoid emissions. The brand’s certification data is publicly available on Change Climate’s website, and the process is repeated annually when companies must recertify.
Learn more about Change Climate and its community of certified brands at changeclimate.org.
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About Sunset Lake Cannabis
Sunset Lake Cannabis is a farmer-owned cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, and retailer. The team at Sunset Lake Cannabis is passionate about sustainable sungrown cannabis and preserving their land for future cultivation. Sunset Lake Cannabis partners with environmentally-focus organizations including Green Up Vermont and the Green Mountain Club to ensure that Vermont maintains a healthy & vibrant landscape. Visit their retail location, Lake Effect VT, in South Hero, and find their Climate Neutral Certified products at a Vermont dispensary near you! For more info, visit sunsetlakecannabis.com
About Change Climate
Change Climate is a 501(c)3 nonprofit leading a global movement of individuals and companies to eliminate carbon emissions. Our label, Climate Neutral Certified, is a trusted, independent standard for climate neutrality. It empowers consumers to find brands that are leading on immediate climate action. All companies that get certified must reduce and compensate for all of their emissions from making and delivering products and services. Change Climate works with over 400 companies, and their label can be found on millions of products worldwide. Join us at changeclimate.org.
