Christian Herrmann, Boulder County. In partnership with The Cannabis Conservancy*, Boulder County launched the Boulder County Carbon Conscious Certification (BCCCC) for licensed commercial cannabis cultivators. The certification recognizes cultivators who have exhibited a commitment towards saving energy and reducing their carbon footprint.

Indoor marijuana cultivation has a significant climate impact due to energy intensive lighting and cooling systems. It is estimated that indoor cannabis production accounts for 1.3% of Colorado’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Recognizing this challenge, Boulder County and local growers have been working to reduce the environmental impact of this fast growing industry.  

Boulder County requires commercial cannabis cultivators to either offset their electricity use with local renewable energy or pay an energy surcharge. Fees collected from the surcharge are placed into the Boulder County Energy Impact Offset Fund (EIOF)*, which is used to support carbon reduction initiatives. Boulder County’s EIOF Steering Committee, in partnership with The Cannabis Conservancy, created this certification to support stewardship and accountability within the cannabis cultivation market.

“The BCCCC seal allows the consumer and others in the supply chain to know that they’re supporting a cultivator who is working towards carbon neutral cannabis production,” said Jacob Policzer, Co-founder and Director of Science and Strategy at The Cannabis Conservancy. “We want to celebrate and support the leadership that these producers are exhibiting to tackle the climate emergency.”

The certification process involves the adoption of a step-by-step framework for meaningful reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions. This includes energy assessment and monitoring and the development of cultivation plans, energy optimization goals, and a low carbon policy. View the full Certification Body Standards at https://cannabisconservancy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BC-CCCC-Standards.pdf.

Benefits of the certification include increased consumer and public awareness and profile-boosting industry recognition. The certification process is designed to help cultivators with strategic energy management, implementation guidance, and compliance support.

“The commercial cultivation of cannabis requires a large amount of energy that often comes from the burning of fossil fuels. These high levels of energy consumption are not only costly for businesses, but they help fuel the climate crisis,” said Ambra Sutherlin, Boulder County Business Sustainability Advisor and EIOF Liaison. “Last year, Boulder County’s cannabis cultivators experienced the catastrophic impacts of climate-fueled wildfires and they understand the importance of taking action. They also see the value in this certification’s strategic energy management plan in bringing down energy costs, while allowing them to sell a more sustainable and low carbon product that differentiates their business in the eyes of the environmentally aware consumer.”

For more information about this program visit The Cannabis Conservancy, Boulder County Carbon Conscious Certification, or contact Christian Herrmann at cherrmann@bouldercounty.org.

(Originally published in the April 15, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)