Re: Next steps towards a net zero IETF

[Greg Wood <[e-mail]>]

Hi Christian,

Thanks for your note.

A few points that are explained more thoroughly in the blog post and the report [1]:

1) “...changing how the IETF operates, such as by reducing the number of in-person IETF meetings, are out of scope for this [IETF LLC] effort as those should be community-led discussions.”

2) A significant part of the project was and is to calculate the carbon footprint of IETF operations, which would, it seems, be a foundation for community considerations about reductions. And, of course, reduction and offsetting are not mutually exclusive.

Finally,  I want to be clear that “PR gain” was definitely not a motivator for, nor a goal of, this project.

While skepticism about carbon offsetting is not unwarranted, I can say with confidence that the IETF LLC staff, Secretariat and other people who have worked on the project were and are focused on doing what we can to improve the actual situation, and not just appearances. IETF participants have fairly consistently indicated they are in favor of being more environmentally sustainable, and this seems like a reasonable step towards that goal, while also being in scope for the IETF LLC.

Regards,

-Greg

[1] https://www.ietf.org/blog/towards-a-net-zero-ietf-next-steps/, https://www.ietf.org/media/documents/IETF-Carbon-Neutral-Strategy-20230216.pdf

> On Mar 21, 2023, at 11:15, Christian Huitema <[e-mail]> wrote:
> 
> I am pretty disappointed to see the IETF LLC investing in the "carbon offset" strategy, let alone paying consultants to produce an expensive report.
> 
> Carbon offset is basically all about PR -- an excuse for not reducing the carbon footprint of an organization. The actual benefits for the planet are mot often illusory, and quite often straightforward scams.
> 
> Let's please focus on the harm reduction part, not the PR maximization part.
> 
> -- Christian Huitema
> 
> On 3/21/2023 6:42 AM, Greg Wood wrote:
>> Hello,
>> Built with input from the IETF community, we now have an initial approach and tools for calculating the IETF’s carbon footprint and a strategy for carbon offsetting. For 2023, we will implement this approach with data already available and seek to further improve it for future years. A blog post provides additional information and a link to a full report is at:
>> http://www.ietf.org/blog/towards-a-net-zero-ietf-next-steps/
>> We hope to explore options for improving carbon footprint calculations and to gather additional information about the community’s preferences for carbon offsetting during a side meeting during the upcoming IETF 116 meeting:
>> Pacifico North
>> Room G301
>> 8:30 JST on 30 March 2023 (23:30 UTC on 29 March)
>> https://ietf.zoom.us/j/86826219211?pwd=QjhvdkY5YmxIWi9YeE9iMzFReFh3dz09
>> Meeting ID: 868 2621 9211
>> Passcode: ietfco2
>> Details are also available on the IETF 116 side meeting wiki:
>> https://wiki.ietf.org/meeting/116/sidemeetings
>> Further discussion is also encouraged on [e-mail] mailing list (and reply-to for this email has been set to that list).
>> Please feel free to contact me directly if I can provide additional information.
>> -Greg
>> –
>> Greg Wood
>> Director of Communications and Operations
>> IETF Administration LLC
>> [e-mail]
>