The 2018 JUNO Awards turns up the volume on climate change with Less Emissions Inc.

VANCOUVER, March 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Less Emissions Inc., Canada's highest quality offset provider, and The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) are partnering to reduce the carbon footprint of the 2018 JUNO Awards. Together, they are offsetting more than 600 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, which covers travel emissions to and from JUNO Week events—running March 19 to 25—as well as emissions from the heating and cooling of event venues in Vancouver.

"For half a decade, CARAS and Less have partnered to ensure that the highest quality offsets are being used to mitigate the CO₂ emissions impact of JUNO Week events," said Ron Seftel, CEO, Less. "When major Canadian events put sustainability first, they showcase the importance of credible climate action and the solutions available to all Canadians to reduce their own impacts."

In choosing to offset their carbon footprint through Less, CARAS is following a three-step approach to managing greenhouse gas emissions:

1. Putting practices in place to reduce or avoid emissions, such as using LED event lighting or minimizing travel required for meetings during event planning phases.
2. Switching to environmentally lower-impact alternatives. For example, CARAS is choosing Bullfrog Power—Less' parent company—to provide the 2018 JUNO Week events with renewable energy.
3. Choosing the highest quality offsets available in Canada. CARAS then works with Less to attain high quality VER+ Standard certified offsets sourced from a Canadian landfill gas capture and destruction project to offset emissions that could not otherwise be reduced or avoided.

"Our partnership with Less is an important part of CARAS' sustainability initiatives for the 2018 JUNO Awards. It serves to assist us in managing and mitigating our climate change impacts and hopefully to inspire others to work with us to reduce the environmental impacts of our industry," said Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts.

In addition to taking action on climate change, CARAS and the JUNO Awards strive to reduce resource consumption, manage waste, and opt for environmentally and socially responsible goods and services whenever possible. These efforts are part of an overall sustainability strategy that CARAS has had in place for a decade.

About Less Less Emissions helps individuals and organizations mitigate travel emissions quickly, effectively and with the highest quality offsets in Canada. You'll lessen your environmental footprint, support innovative emissions reductions projects and ultimately make the responsible decision for our planet when you need to travel. Less' international-based offsets are derived from Gold Standard-certified projects, as endorsed by leading environmental groups, including WWF International. Less' Canadian-based offsets are sourced from projects that have achieved certification under the internationally recognized VER+ Standard. Less, a Bullfrog Power company, is Air Canada's official offset provider. Less is ranked as the highest quality offset provider by the David Suzuki Foundation and the Pembina Institute. less.ca

About CARAS
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/L'académie canadienne des arts et des sciences de l'enregistrement (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music industry and to contribute toward higher artistic and industry standards. CARAS' mandate is comprised of four key pillars: Educate through our music education charity MusiCounts programs and initiatives, Develop emerging artists through mentorship and development programs, Celebrate Canadian artists with year round JUNO Awards showcasing, and Honour music industry icons through the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. For more information on the 47th Annual JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) please visit www.junoawards.ca

SOURCE Less Emissions

Contact Less Emissions: Jon McKay, Corporate Communications Manager, 416.360.3464 ext. 239, [email protected]; For more information on the JUNO Awards or interview requests, please contact: Zai Karim, rock-it promotions, [email protected], 416.656.0707 ext. 127