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  • 8/14/2019 Carbon Offset - Feb 09

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    Make an environmentally and financially responsible investment

    Offset your CO2for a fraction of the price of buying credits

    Carbon Offset

    Reforestation Project

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    Index

    Overview........................................................................................................................................................................3

    Investment summary.....................................................................................................................................................3

    Project summary............................................................................................................................................................3

    Who we are....................................................................................................................................................................3

    What is a carbon offset credit?......................................................................................................................................4

    Investment details..........................................................................................................................................................4

    Why our investment is secure........................................................................................................................................5

    Your investment return..................................................................................................................................................7

    Current carbon offset prices..........................................................................................................................................8

    Carbon offset market growth.........................................................................................................................................9

    Carbon offset market projection.....................................................................................................................................9

    How to sell your credits................................................................................................................................................10

    How to make your returns............................................................................................................................................10

    Project details..............................................................................................................................................................11

    The greenhouse effect and carbon dioxide.................................................................................................................13

    Biodiversity...................................................................................................................................................................14

    Our partners.................................................................................................................................................................15

    Frequently asked questions.........................................................................................................................................16

    - 2 -

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    Overview

    Our partner is giving private investors and corporations the opportunity to

    become a direct part of an environmental project yielding high financial returns,or low priced offset credits. This is a unique chance to grow your own credits

    whether you prefer to use them to offset your carbon footprint or to sell them for

    a high return on investment. Either way, your input will help save the Costa

    Rican rainforest and the animals that live in it, as well as contributing to the fight

    against climate change: The perfect green investment is finally here.

    Investment summary

    Invest US$12,000 (excl. closing costs, see page 5), receive a minimum

    projected return of 15% per year for 50 years. In the first year we even

    guarantee an 8% minimum return.

    Prices start at US$12,000 (excl. closing costs, see page 5) for one unit of land

    (5,000 m2) which currently produces 200 carbon offset credits per year. These

    are sold for a market value of US$10 each, giving you an initial annual return of

    US$2,000 per unit. The credit prices are expected to increase steadily according

    to market trends, thus your annual return could increase every year to a

    projected US$2M by the end of the lease (please see Your Investment Return

    on page 7).

    Project summary

    The project is based in the Costa Rican rainforest, a location of great biodiversity and

    political stability. The main activities of the project are: prevention of deforestation

    through the purchase and conservation of rainforest land, as well as reforestation by

    planting trees in adjacent farmland. These two activities are independently monitored

    by quantification and verification companies, and carbon offset credits are allocated

    to the project at the rate of approximately 200 credits per unit of land. These credits

    are sold to the voluntary carbon market which is increasing steadily every year.

    Mr. Redshaw, head of environmental markets at Barclays Capital

    Carbon will be the world's biggest commodity market, and it could

    become the world's biggest market over all

    Who we are

    We are a fully incorporated Costa Rican Company under European

    management. We have 16 years of experience in forestry in Costa Rica as well

    as a strong business background. We work closely with lawyers, environmental

    experts and accreditation agencies to ensure our product is in accordance withall legal and environmental guidelines. Primarily a conservation company, we

    have released a part of our project in order to facilitate expansion and further

    environmental work in the rainforest.

    - 3 -

    Deforestation is

    responsible for 20-25%

    of global carbon

    emissions, by the

    burning and cutting of

    about 34 million acres

    of trees each year

    (Source: NASA)

    Our on-site team are

    responsible for the

    project development

    and its social impact

    factors.

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    What is a carbon offset credit?

    Individuals and organisations produce CO2 gases through their daily activities

    such as air and car travel, burning of fossil fuels for energy etc. Trees andplants in the rainforest, on the other hand, absorb CO2 gases. Every ton of

    CO2 absorbed by the rainforest is equal to one carbon offset credit. People

    buy offset credits to neutralise the CO2 emissions they create in their every

    day lives.

    The amount of CO2 produced by an individual, couple, family or company is

    called a Carbon footprint and the number of carbon offset credits required to

    neutralise one's footprint depends on its size- the bigger the footprint, the more

    credits are required to offset it. Offsetting one's entire footprint is known as

    becoming carbon neutral.

    Carbon Offset credits have become a very popular product as society isbecoming increasingly aware of the dangers of climate change and the

    damage we are causing to our planet with our carbon emissions. Companies

    also are publicly reducing their carbon emissions and offsetting the rest, as

    they are acutely aware of the business advantages of becoming carbon

    neutral.

    Carbonpassport.com

    64 per cent of consumers are more likely to use a business that claims

    to have a low carbon footprint

    Forestation is particularly relevant to the activity of CO2 offsetting because

    plants physically remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Whilst there are

    arguments for the importance of the development of renewable energy,

    rainforests are essential to the immediate removal of dangerous CO2 gases

    from the air.

    Investment details

    Key points

    Low investment amount from just US$12,000 (excl. closing costs*)

    * Closing costs of US$600 +1%, plus US$190 AML fees if applicable

    Finance available for 1 year (please contact us for details)

    Guaranteed 8% return in first year

    Projected upwards of 15% return in subsequent years

    Fully accredited and verified project

    Credit prices expected to rise by 10% per year

    50 year lease Land lease held by Citadel Trustees in the United Kingdom

    - 4 -

    The...disruption of the

    Earths climate by

    manmade greenhouse

    gases is already well

    beyond dangerous

    John P Holdren, Harvard

    University

    "Saving forests is

    critical for tackling

    climate change. Without

    action on deforestation,

    avoiding the worst

    impacts of climate

    change will be next to

    impossible

    Johan Eliasch

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    Why our investment is secure

    We have gone to great lengths to ensure the absolute security of your

    investment in our project. If you wish to see any of the supporting documentsfor the information below, please request them from our customer services

    department who will be happy to send them to you.

    Land is held in Trust with a UK Trustee - Citadel Trustees of Camberley,

    Surrey, holds a lease over the land, which is registered in the Costa Rican

    Land Registry through a non-trading UK subsidiary company. This registered

    lease is held in trust for you, the Purchaser, and secures the land for the

    duration of the project, ring fencing it against third party risks and securing your

    rights to the carbon offset credits your land unit produces. In addition, an

    individual Lease Assignment Agreement, evidencing your ownership, will be

    issued in your name by the Trustee. Finally, the carbon credits produced by the

    land need to be quantified every five years, therefore, the estimated cost of

    obtaining the quantification, for the full period of your ownership, will be

    deposited with the Trustee from day one. This is your guarantee that your land

    will continue to be quantified in the future.

    Low investment amount from just US$12000 (excl. closing costs*) - Many

    investment products require a minimum investment of several hundred

    thousand dollars. We believe that everyone should be able to benefit from a

    great investment opportunity.

    Guaranteed 8% return in the first year - We are so confident of selling all

    your credits from the offset that we will personally guarantee a return of 8% in

    the first year (not applicable if you are selling your own credits).

    You are investing in a rapidly growing market - In today's financial climate

    few markets are growing, but ours is a product that is booming even during a

    worldwide recession.

    Chris Morrison, Blue SourceSeveral companies who are heavily involved in the major stock

    exchanges are betting that carbon offsets will become the next big

    trading opportunity

    We do not accept monies- Once you have signed the application form you

    will be contacted to transfer the investment sum into the Trustee's escrow

    account. Only once the Lease Assignment Agreement has been signed by

    both parties will the Trustee transfer the funds to Our partner S.A. in Costa

    Rica.

    Costa Rica is a politically safe country- Costa Rica is one of the most stableand peaceful countries in the world. In 1987 The Nobel Peace Prize was won

    by the Costa Rican president Oscar Arias Snchez. In 1948, the country chose

    to abolish its army in order to fund better education and healthcare creating a

    high literacy rate. The country has had at least fifty-nine years of uninterrupted

    democracy, making it one of the most stable countries in the region.

    - 5 -

    Ethical or sociallyresponsible investment

    (SRI) is one of the most

    rapidly growing areas of

    finance

    (Source: Sparkes, Russell)

    The battle against

    climate change cannot

    be won without theworld's forests-this is

    now clear.

    UN Secretary-General Ban

    Ki-moon

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    Costa Rica is a highly active member of the Organization of American States

    and the United Nations. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the

    United Nations University of Peace are based in Costa Rica and Costa Rica is

    a member of the International Criminal Court, with a Bilateral Immunity

    Agreement of protection from the US-military.

    Costa Rica is the ideal environment for the project- Costa Rica is a true

    pioneer in the fight against Global Warming and the carbon offset market. In

    1996 Costa Rica was one of the first countries to sell Carbon Credits: In an

    unprecedented transaction, Costa Rica sold its first 200,000 tons of carbon

    emission reduction credits to Norway for US$10 per ton.

    A massive 30% of the country consists of protected nature reserves and the

    Costa Rican government has announced its intention of becoming the world's

    first carbon neutral country by 2021.

    Costa Rica is a small country occupying just 0.001% of the planet's surface,

    and yet it is home to between 7% and 8% of the planet's biodiversity. The list of

    endangered species that can be found in Costa Rica include the Macaw,

    golden toad, Puma and Jaguar, to name but a few.

    The Costa Rican government itself runs similar projects- Costa Rica is a

    leader within Latin American countries in the development of reforestation,

    forest conservation, and sustainable forest management activities. In this

    process of developing and selling carbon offset credits, a considerable amount

    of experience has been achieved. The Costa Rican government body, MINAE,

    is currently involved in similar projects to ours, thus you will be investing in anincentive which runs parallel to that of the government itself. A letter of

    recommendation written by MINAE is available upon request.

    The project is subject to regular monitoring by 3rd parties- The project is

    independently quantified by Bioeco (please see partners section) every five

    years. The global standards: Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) and the

    Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS) are being employed for

    the project, these are two of the most recognised official project standards in

    the world. We have a Costa Rican legal firm overseeing the project and an

    optional independent company, to oversees the security of the area. For yourprotection the UK based Trustee, Citadel Trustees, will actually hold a

    registered lease on the land.

    The land itself is safe- The rainforest is moist all year round which makes it

    insusceptible to fire, and the project is an area which is not prone to

    hurricanes, volcanic eruptions or earthquakes. Additionally, although rainforest,

    almost by definition, requires little or no management, a local independent

    company can be appointed at no extra cost to yourself to ensure security

    against poachers and illegal loggers.

    We put our money where our mouth is - By opening up our project to

    independent investment, we are merely asking you to invest in something in

    which we ourselves have already invested. We stand beside you as a part of

    this project, not as vendors but as equal participators.

    - 6 -

    There is a growingdemand for.. .carbon

    assets that promote...

    development and

    poverty reduction

    in...the world's poorest

    nations".

    James Murray

    Our project is regularly

    monitored by 3rdparty

    environmental experts

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    Your investment return

    Table shows credits production, annual return with 7.5% price increase

    and annual return with 10% price increase. Figures are in US$:

    Table showing annual credit production and subsequent cost per credit.

    - 7 -

    Credits Production Credit return with 7,5% price increase Credit return with 10% price increase

    year

    producedcredits

    CreditPrice

    AnnualIncome

    CreditPrice

    AnnualIncome

    Percentagereturn

    1 200 20 180 $10.00 $1,800.00 $1,800.00 $10.00 $1,800.00 $1,800.00 15.00%

    2 200 20 180 $10.75 $1,935.00 $3,735.00 $11.00 $1,980.00 $3,780.00 16.50%

    3 200 20 180 $11.56 $2,080.13 $5,815.13 $12.10 $2,178.00 $5,958.00 18.15%4 200 20 180 $12.42 $2,236.13 $8,051.26 $13.31 $2,395.80 $8,353.80 19.97%

    5 200 20 180 $13.35 $2,403.84 $10,455.10 $14.64 $2,635.38 $10,989.18 21.96%

    10 200 20 180 $19.17 $3,451.03 $25,464.76 $23.58 $4,244.31 $28,687.36 35.37%

    15 200 20 180 $27.52 $4,954.40 $47,013.06 $37.97 $6,835.50 $57,190.47 56.96%

    20 200 20 180 $39.51 $7,112.68 $77,948.43 $61.16 $11,008.64 $103,095.00 91.74%

    21 200 20 180 $42.48 $7,646.13 $85,594.56 $67.27 $12,109.50 $115,204.50 100.91%

    25 200 20 180 $56.73 $10,211.17 $122,360.15 $98.50 $17,729.52 $177,024.71 147.75%

    30 200 20 180 $81.44 $14,659.46 $186,118.92 $158.63 $28,553.57 $296,089.24 237.95%

    35 200 20 180 $116.92 $21,045.55 $277,652.89 $255.48 $45,985.81 $487,843.86 383.22%

    40 200 20 180 $167.85 $30,213.61 $409,061.74 $411.45 $74,060.60 $796,666.60 617.17%

    45 200 20 180 $240.98 $43,375.54 $597,716.13 $662.64 $119,275.34 $1,294,028.71 993.96%

    50 200 20 180 $345.95 $62,271.20 $868,553.90 $1,067.19 $192,094.12 $2,095,035.35 1600.78%

    10%Credit

    deductionCare

    andmanagement

    Cost

    netproduced

    credits

    Cumulative

    Income

    Cumulative

    Income

    Credits Production Credit Cost price

    year

    producedcredits

    1 200 20 180 180 $66.67

    2 200 20 180 360 $33.33

    3 200 20 180 540 $22.22

    4 200 20 180 720 $16.67

    5 200 20 180 900 $13.33

    10 200 20 180 1800 $6.67

    15 200 20 180 2700 $4.44

    20 200 20 180 3600 $3.33

    25 200 20 180 4500 $2.67

    30 200 20 180 5400 $2.22

    35 200 20 180 6300 $1.90

    40 200 20 180 7200 $1.67

    45 200 20 180 8100 $1.48

    50 200 20 180 9000 $1.33

    10%Credit

    deductionCare

    a

    ndmanagement

    Cost

    netproduced

    credits

    CumulativeNet

    C

    reditProduction

    C

    umulativeCredit

    Price

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    Current carbon offset prices

    Source: EcoBusinessLinks.com

    Carbon Offset Provider Price (US$ / Metric Ton CO2) Project Types Offset Types

    AtmosClear Climate Club USA $5.40 - $25.00 Methane Car, Home

    Carbonfund.org USA $10,00 Renewables, Efficiency,

    Reforestation

    Home, Car, Air, Events, Business

    Carbon Footprint Offsetters

    Canada

    $10.00 (CER's) Renewables Personal, Business

    LiveNeutral.org USA $12,00 Efficiency Car

    The CarbonNeutral Company UK $12.64 (USA)

    7.50 (UK VAT incl.)

    Renewables, Efficiency,

    Reforestation, Methane

    Car, Air, Events, Business,

    Deliveries, + many others

    Terrapass USA $13,12 Renewables, Methane Car, Home, Air, Events, Business

    ClearSky Climate Solutions USA $15,00 Forestry/reforestation, Methane Personal, Car, Air, Custompackages for businesses, events

    and organizations

    Standard Carbon USA $15,00 Methane, Efficiency, Renewables,

    Carbon Sequestration

    Car, Air, Sea, Events, Political

    Campaigns

    Sustainable Travel International

    US, Switzerland

    $15,25 Renewables Air, Car, Home, Hotel

    Climate Friendly Australia $16.00 - $19.00 Renewables Home, Car, Air, Business

    Enviro Friendly Australia $19,00 Efficiency, Reforestation Home, Vehicle, Personal, Travel,

    Event, Business

    Uncook the Planet Australia $19,45 Efficiency Air, Car, Home, Business

    Bonneville EnvironmentalFoundation USA $29,00 Renewables Home, Air, Business, Event

    Myclimate Switzerland $33.00 - $99.00 Renewables Air, Events, Business

    Clear UK 17.95 Various, depending on CDM offset

    projects

    Car, Air, Motorbike Home,

    Commute, Business

    Carbon Passport UK 19.75 Renewables, Methane Home, Air, Car, Business

    Global Cool UK 20.00 Renewables, Efficiency n/a

    3Degrees USA $17,00 Methane, Renewables, Sustainable

    Forest Management

    Home, Car, Air

    Bleau Ventures Carbon Offset UK $24.00 - $28.00 Efficiency, Reneable energy stove

    programmes

    Life, Air, Business, Travel, or on

    request

    Cleaner Climate UK & Australia $15.00 - $18.00 Renewables, Efficiency Air, Car, Home, Business

    a: Atmos Clear - Low price for 25 Ton option at $135

    1. Offset Types: There are hundreds of potential offset types. We have limited our survey to just the most common.

    2. Verification: "n/a" means we were unable to determine a third-party verification body. The projects may, however, be verified.

    3. Choice: refers to whether customers may choose between project types and/or specific projects.

    4. Price: prices change and exchange rates fluctuate. The data listed was first gathered from the respective websites July 21, 2006

    5. Other offset providers may exist. This survey provides a cross section of the industry, projects may be added or removed over time.

    6. Some information may be incomplete or has changed. We welcome updates.

    * Please make sure that additionality is offered by the offsetting projects. CCX and certainly some others as well do not guarantee this.

    - 8 -

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    Carbon offset market growth

    Source: Ecosystem Marketplace, New Carbon Finance, World Bank

    Carbon offset market projection

    Source: Ecosystem Marketplace, New Carbon Finance, World Bank

    - 9 -

    MarketsVolume (MtCO2e) Value(US$ million)

    2006 2007 2006 2007

    Voluntary OTC Market 14 42 59 258CCX 10 23 38 72

    Total Voluntary Markets 25 65 97 331

    EU ETS 1,044 2,061 24,436 50,097

    Primary CDM 537 551 5,804 7,426

    Secondary CDM 25 240 445 5,451

    Joint Implementation 16 41 141 499

    New South Wales 20 25 225 224

    Total Regulated Markets 1,642 2,918 31,051 63,697

    Total Global Market 1,667 2,983 31,148 64,028

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    How to sell your credits

    If you are choosing to sell your credits rather than using them to offset your

    own carbon emissions, or if you have surplus credits after your own offsetting,you can sell your credits in the following ways:

    Sell your credits yourself: Your credits will be registered annually in your name

    with an official carbon registry, to allow you to transfer or retire them yourself.

    There will be a 5% management fee to cover the cost of registration, fees and

    admin costs.

    Sell your credits via a Management Company: A Management Company

    appointed to sell your credits has existing relationships with credit brokers and

    bulk buyers to ensure all the project credits are sold every year. This is the

    most popular option as it is the easiest and most secure way to make sure your

    credits are sold. They charge a 5% management fee and additional 5% salescommission to cover associated management and credit sale costs

    respectively.

    How to make your returns

    You will own the Carbon Offset Credits produced by your land and, if you

    choose to appoint it and it accepts your appointment, the Management

    Company will sell them for you. The Management Company will pay you the

    return from your credit sales, once the credits are sold. This often happens in

    advance and, in case of the Carbon Offset Credits being sold for 3 years in

    advance, you will receive the full amount at that moment.* This will be paid toyou as a cost to the Management Company, as the Management Company will

    be buying the Carbon Offset Credits from you to sell on.** This ensures a tax

    free transaction.***

    * IMPORTANT NOTE: You will NOT be able to sell your unit on during the period for

    which you have already received returns.

    ** An invoice will be raised from you to the Management Company for inclusion in

    their accounts.

    *** It is then up to you to include this income on your income tax return according to

    the laws of your country of residence. We are in no way advising you to commit tax

    evasion.

    - 10 -

    ...Corporations... have come to see climate-change mitigation

    and adaptation not only as necessities but as opportunities.

    John P. Holdren, Harvard University

    All the big global

    investment banks are

    hurrying into carbon

    finance.

    (Source: Fortune Magazine)

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    Project details

    We buy primary and secondary rainforest from private owners in Costa Rica.

    Agricultural land is in high demand in the country and, despite theenvironmental sensibilities that instinctively exist in the Costa Rican people, the

    high price tags of their land creates the temptation of selling it to be cut down.

    We buy this land at a fair price, not exploiting the local people, and give them

    the opportunity to make money without having to sacrifice the beautiful

    rainforest they are so proud of. If they are inhabitants of the land, we allow

    them to stay there, often finding employment for them within our reforestation

    initiative. Socioeconomic factors are at the core of the project with various

    initiatives and activities being launched and planned. (please ask us for details)

    We contract 3rd party forestry engineers and environmental scientists to

    perform fieldwork measuring the biomass of the rainforest and the levels of

    CO2 absorbed by the vegetation. Experts are contracted to advise on the type

    of plant life that is most likely to generate as many carbon credits as possible

    whilst also mimicking the natural rainforest to create an extension of the real

    forest, not just a quick and inappropriate carbon basin.

    The project design and methodologies adopted are taken from the Voluntary

    Carbon Standard authority (VCS) in Geneva and the Climate, Community,

    Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) for the relevant project activities. All credits

    produced are registered in an official global carbon registry. These measures

    ensure that the product is authentic and that credits cannot be double-sold.

    If, rather than doing it yourself or through another agent, you appoint the

    Management Company we recommend and it accepts your appointment, the

    Management Company will market the credits for sale on your behalf, will issue

    certificates of ownership and will create any marketing materials you may

    require for your business or personal portfolio.

    Additional activities include hosting guided trips to see the project,

    environmental research and educational initiatives.

    - -

    ProcedureJoining our project could not be easier:

    Complete our Application Form and return it to us byfax or email with a copy of your proof of ID.

    Transfer the purchase amount to the escrow accountof Citadel Trustees. The completed LeaseAssignment Agreement (LAA) and ManagementAgreement will be sent to you.

    You send the signed LA A and ManagementAgreement back to us.

    We send the LAA to the trustee and only then willmonies be released by the trustee.

    You receive a complete investor pack includingwatermarked certificate and your copy of the signedLAA.

    You receive the Carbon Offset Credits annually.

    Foreign MinisterBruno Stagno-Ugarteof Costa Rica

    For Costa Rica to be successful

    towards our goal of carbon

    neutrality by 2021, we will require

    international support to scale-up

    our efforts to conserve existing

    forests and increase reforestation

    and restoration activities. Only

    through an integrated approach to

    forestry, can we push back the

    effects of climate change. Today we

    have a historical opportunity to

    make things right and correct the

    mistakes of the past."

    Only a quarter of theoriginal forest cover in

    Costa Rica is still

    standing.

    (source:

    VivaCostaRica.com)

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    Global warming

    Scientist have recently discovered that the Earth's temperatures is rising at an

    alarming rate: If we see a further 3 degree rise in temperature, we will be at thepoint of no return. This temperature rise is commonly known as global

    warming.

    NASA

    Because of rapid warming trend over the past 30 years, the Earth is

    now reaching and passing through the warmest levels seen in the last

    12,000 years

    Print resolution still ofglobal temperature

    anomalies averaged

    from 1880 to 1884.

    (source:http://svs.gsfc.n

    asa.gov/vis/a000000/a0

    03300/a003375/)

    Global temperatureanomalies averaged

    from 2002 to 2006.

    (source:http://svs.gsfc.n

    asa.gov/vis/a000000/a0

    03300/a003375/)

    John P. Holdren, Harvard University

    The ongoing disruption of the Earth's climate by manmade greenhouse

    gases is already well beyond dangerous and is careening toward

    completerly unmanageable

    - 12 -

    "UNEP, ecologists and

    the scientific community

    have long argued that

    forests are...worth

    billions if not trillions of

    dollars if only we can

    capture these in the

    economic models".

    UN Under Secretary-General

    "According to the IPCC

    avoided deforestation

    would cut emissions by

    up to 25 per cent, while

    almost every economic

    analysis of climate

    change shows it is one

    of the most important

    actions we can take"

    Abyd Karmali, global head

    of Carbon Emissions at

    Merrill Lynch

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    The greenhouse effect and carbon dioxide

    The main contributor towards global warming is known as the Greenhouse

    Effect: Atmospheric gases known as Greenhouse Gases (or GHGs) form alayer around the Earth which radiates heat and keeps our planet at a habitable

    temperature. However, the recent increase in these gases has caused excess

    heat to be trapped in the atmosphere and is taking the surface temperature of

    the planet to higher levels than we can stand. If the greenhouse gases in the

    atmosphere are not reduced immediately, the Earth's temperature will continue

    to rise with catastrophic consequences. We are already beginning to see the

    effects of such global warming.

    John P. Holdren, Harvard University

    Changes in monsoon patterns are unleashing floods and droughts andhurting agricultural productivity in China and India

    The most abundant of greenhouse gases is Carbon Dioxide which is released

    by human activity on a gargantuan scale. If our CO2 emissions are not

    reduced significantly and immediately, the planet as we know it will be a thing

    of the past.

    John P. Holdren, Harvard University

    Changes in monsoon patterns are unleashing floods and droughts andhurting agricultural productivity in China and India

    James Hansen, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies

    If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which

    civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, CO2 will

    need to be reduced from its current 385 ppm [part per million] to at most

    350ppm

    Deforestation accounts for more carbon emissions than all the planes, trainsand cars on Earth (source: Karen Foerstel, the nature conservancy ) so it is

    essential that these forests are saved by supporting projects such as ours.

    Bill Stanley, Global Climate Change Initiative, The Nature Conservancy

    Deforestation accounts for roughly 20 percent of global carbon

    emissions and more than 30 percent of emissions from developing

    countries. Halting deforestation over the next 50 years would protect

    important habitat while also providing around 15 percent of the carbon-

    emissions reductions needed to stabilize global temperatures

    - 13 -

    If humanity wishes to

    preserve a planet

    similar to that... to which

    life on Earth is adapted,

    CO2 will need to be

    reduced form its current

    385 ppm [part per

    million] to at most

    350ppm

    (Source: NASA)

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    Biodiversity

    Biodiversity is the variety of life on the planet, from micro-organisms to blue

    whales, along with the plant habitats they depend upon for survival.Biodiversity is a basic part of the Earth's life support system. It supports

    fundamental natural services for people and animals such as fresh water,

    fertile soil and clean air. Habitat loss is considered to be the main cause of

    current biodiversity loss. Clearance of native vegetation for agriculture, timber

    and industry destroys these habitats and all the animals living in them.

    Costa Rica is home to between 7% and 8% of the planet's biodiversity. If

    Earth's creatures are to be saved, we must first save the habitats where they

    exist in most abundance.

    Mike Hoffman, Conservation International

    We believe everything can be saved. It's about where you go first. If we

    fail in the hotspots, half of biodiversity is gone. Finished.

    Measuring the variety of nature & selecting priority areas for conservation.

    GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY VALUE: a map showing the distribution of some of

    the most highly valued terrestrial biodiversity world-wide (mammals, reptiles,

    amphibians and seed plants), using family-level data for equal-area grid cells

    (ref 10), with red for high biodiversity and blue for low biodiversity.

    Source: Biogeography & Conservation Lab

    The Natural History Museum

    - 14 -

    By 2050 between 15

    and 37 percent of the

    species on Earth might

    me committed to

    extinction as a result of

    climate change alone

    (Source: Conservation

    International)

    The war (on climate

    change) is about to

    happen. It has to

    happen.

    (Source: Zerofootprint )

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    Our partners

    Rachel Spring

    Legal Services

    [email protected]

    www.citadeltrustees.com

    Citadel Trustees Limited, was formed to provide specialised

    trustee services in a variety of areas such as stakeholder

    activities, conveyancing services, shared ownership, private

    residence clubs and probate administration.

    Citadel Trustee St Limited has been formed specifically to act as

    Trustee for the Carbon Offset Reforestation project.

    Citadel's highly experienced team has been providing trustee

    and stakeholder services to the leisure and real estate industriesfor more than 25 years, handling in excess of 65 million/$130

    million of client funds annually.

    Citadels Head Office is based in Camberley, Surrey, United

    Kingdom and the company has branch offices, or associated

    companies in Spain, India, Thailand and China from which it

    services its international client base.

    Frank Vranken

    Director

    [email protected]

    www.ecomanagementservices.org

    Eco Management LLC is the Management Company that we

    recommend to you to use, although it has to agree to act as your

    agent. Eco Management LLC is a Costa Rican based company,

    specialising in forestry, reforestation, plantation setup,

    management and agricultural activities, established in 1994.

    The company consists of a dedicated team of in-field, forestry

    engineers and agronomists for field work and the important plant

    monitoring system, with experience in Costa Rica and Central

    America. Their staff is a colourful team of Costa Ricans and

    Europeans with varied and in-depth experience of Central

    American land, soil, plant species, cultivation, security and forest

    management.

    In those units for which it has accepted appointment as manager

    by investors, Eco Management LLC will be responsible for the

    management and security of the existing rainforest belonging to

    the Carbon Offset Forestation Project, as well as the re-

    forestation side of the project which requires their considerable

    expertise.

    Guido Snchez

    Legal Department

    [email protected]

    www.icstax.com

    Founded in 1993, ICS is recognized as a highly experienced firm

    of lawyers, tax advisors and accountants with an impressive

    client portfolio. They are based in San Jos, Costa Rica and are

    members of Tax & Labor, a law firms' alliance of labor and tax

    attorneys, experts on a Central American level with the aim of

    supporting regional business of local clients from the associated

    firms. Also members of CPA Associates International, Inc.

    (CPAAI), a reputable association of independent accounting

    firms with members worldwide, ICS have the resources to assistyou with any additional tax or legal advice or assistance you

    may require.

    They have been involved in the structuring of the Carbon Offset

    Forestation Project, creating the most tax efficient and legally

    secure system for our customers. ICS have performed a legal

    assessment of the Carbon Offset Forestation Project in Costa

    Rica and find it to be in perfect order, locally and internationally.

    A member of the ICS's fully qualified legal team will be in charge

    of constructing and overseeing your lease contract, and will

    charge a set rate of $200 USD for this service.

    Meir Ary Kiersemblat

    Director

    [email protected]

    www.bioeco.com

    A Costa Rican firm specializing in environmental services

    including environmental management, and specializing in

    Carbon offset measurement and accreditation. Their highly

    experienced team of scientists and forest engineers will perform

    the measurements required to establish the carbon uptake of theland and monitor any changes.

    They will certify the carbon credits produced by the rainforest

    vegetation and will provide advisory services for the

    reforestation activities of the project to maximize the amount of

    carbon offset credits produced.

    Juan Miguel Velasco

    Senior Partner

    [email protected]

    www.vbabogados.com

    An established and reputable firm of lawyers based in Spain, they specialize in property law with

    considerable experience in the international sector.

    VB Abogados have performed due diligence on the Carbon Offset Forestation Project and have beenin contact with local authorities, organizations and companies in order to do so, in their native

    language of Spanish.

    Their fully qualified legal team speak Spanish, English and German and are happy to answer any legal

    queries regarding Our partner S.A and its projects.

    - 15 -

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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    Frequently asked questions

    Q. There have been some concerns raised in the

    press about some reforestation and carbon offset

    projects, exploiting their position for quick gains/profit Why is this product different?

    A. The stories in the press talk of get-rich-quick

    schemes of planting fast-growing trees and then cutting

    them down, then claiming that this offsets CO2. It

    doesn't- the dioxide carbon is released as soon as the

    trees are cut down. Other bogus schemes claim to be

    reforesting while they plant foreign species in unsuitable

    areas because they grow faster than indigenous plants.

    We plant only local species and we do not cut the trees

    down apart from some essential thinning which benefits

    plant growth.

    Q. How do I know this project is genuine?

    A. We have complete supporting documentation

    available to anyone who wishes to see it, we do not

    accept monies ourselves; they are held by the Trustee

    until the LAA is issued in your name, and if anyone is

    still concerned, we can arrange a visit to the project itself

    including a tour of the forest and the people involved in

    the project. We will pick you up from the airport and can

    even help with arranging accommodation and transport.

    Furthermore, we will even pay for your trip if you buy 10

    units or more.

    Q. Why do I get a Lease Assignment Agreement and

    not a freehold purchase agreement?

    A. According to local law, if we were to sell freehold

    land, each and every plot would have to be separated

    and registered individually, as well as given road access.

    It is physically impossible to build roads in between and

    going to every unit of rainforest, and it would of course

    destroy the forest if we were to do this. This law does

    not apply to a lease transaction.

    Q. How do I know that these credits are any good?

    A. The credits produced are quantified by qualified

    engineers following the IPCC guidelines, are verified by

    a globally recognised 3rd party and are of the samestandard and type as the credits sold by the Costa Rican

    government itself.

    Q. How do I know that the accreditation will be

    renewed every 5 years once I have paid my money?

    A. Our partner S.A are bound by the LAA to renew the

    quantification report. Moreover, funds will be deposited

    in a 3rd party escrow account and held aside for this

    purpose.

    Q. Can I renew my Lease Assignment Agreement at

    the end of 50 years?

    A. Yes, the lease is renewable by you after 50 years .

    The value of the land will be the market rate of the Unit

    at the time of renewal and will be priced accordingly.

    This valuation will be carried out by a valuer from a bank

    in Costa Rica, thus ensuring the value will be

    established by an independent third party.

    Q. What is my exit strategy?

    A. During the investment period, you have the option of

    selling on your unit, thus releasing your invested capital.

    Our partner intends to grant other leases over other

    plots of land for what it hopes will be a considerably

    higher sum, therefore you can sell your unit for below

    market value whilst still making a profit. With returns

    projected at 100% p.a. by year 21, however, it is unlikely

    that any of our investors will choose to sell their

    investment. If, however, you wish to release your capital

    at any point, we can market your investment on your

    behalf for a 10% commission on sales price.

    Q. What are the risks to my investment?

    A. The risks are very low: In the rainforest the climate is

    very damp thus there is little or no risk of fire. The land is

    safe from theft, squatting or logging and the project is

    not in a volcanic or earthquake zone. The political

    climate and legal system in Costa Rica are extremely

    secure. The credits produced by the land are verified,

    numbered and follow the guidelines of international

    governing bodies. The land value is increasing steadily

    in Costa Rica and unlikely to fall in line with the global

    property market. Voluntary market carbon offset credit

    sales are rising steadily.

    Q. How much do I have to invest to be a part of theproject?

    A. The minimum purchase is one unit, which is the

    equivalent of approximately 5000m2 and you get a

    minimum of 200 Carbon Offset Credits for this. The

    current price for a unit is US$ 12,000.

    Q. How can the project benefit my business, or

    personal portfolio?

    A. Aside from the financial gain, being a part of a

    genuine environmental project can lend enormous

    credibility to your company or organisation; being able to

    say you are carbon neutral, helping to save therainforest and protect animal species is a great

    marketing tool.

    Q. Does the project exploit local land owners?

    A. No- we do not underpay land owners, and we allow

    them to stay on the land if they have a home there, often

    employing them to help with the project.

    Q. How do Our partner make their money?

    A. We do not sell or lease all the land in our project, we

    only release small parts of it in order to raise capital for

    further expansion. The land that we still own creates

    carbon offset credits which are sold and this is where werecoup our investment.