Carbon Offset Pitch Competition
Learn more about the competition!
We hosted two info sessions on February 16th and 17th. Check out the slides here for an overview of the competition.
Feel free to email curtisjlever@uvic.ca with any questions!
Check out sample videos in our FAQ section below!
In 2017, Gustavson took a big step in taking responsibility for our school’s carbon footprint by offsetting the largest portion of our greenhouse gases - travel and commuting. Thanks to students, over the past four years, the school has been able to successfully offset these emissions, and is proud to say we are one of the first carbon neutral business schools in the world!
This year Gustavson is determined to continue with this commitment, creating an even larger impact, and in order to be successful we need your help!
Gustavson wants YOU to decide which offset projects should be supported for 2022's emissions- and don’t worry, we know you are all busy so we have made the process super simple! We are asking students across Gustavson to submit individually (or in teams of up to five) a portfolio of between one to five carbon offset projects from a list of 16 pre-approved projects and portfolios. Along with the portfolio, you’ll submit a video describing why you chose the projects you did. The portfolios and videos will be evaluated according to four criteria: Cost, Impact, Persuasiveness, and fit within Gustavson’s pillars. If you have any questions about how to create your portfolio or how to create a video please feel free to reach out to curtisjlever@uvic.ca.
Deadline extended to March 19, 2023.
Submission Guidelines
Submit Your Carbon Offset Submission Form Using the Steps Below
Complete and submit the Carbon Offset Submission Form using the steps below.
- Download the form here, rename the file as an MSWord file using your team name (i.e., AceTeamPortflolio.doc).
- Fill in your team name and names of your team members.
- Review the list of eligible projects and choose between 1 and 5 carbon offset projects on the list and indicate a percent allocation for each of your chosen projects totaling 100%. This is your portfolio. (NOTE: cost/tonne information on this form includes applicable taxes and may differ from cost/tonne project information on the offset company website).
- In the text box provided below your portfolio, briefly describe in 250 words or less a compelling justification for why your portfolio should be selected.
- Save your team’s Carbon Offset Submission Form and email it to curtisjlever@uvic.ca.
Submit Your Carbon Offset Video Using the Steps Below
- Choose the type of video you want to create. Your video submission can be anything that your team can produce for submission. For example, a recorded presentation, a cartoon, a visual guide of your portfolio (e.g., a PowerPoint or Prezi). Be as creative as you like, and be persuasive!
- Film and edit your video which in 90 seconds or less should summarize your project and portfolio allocation, and justify why the projects you pick best meet the contest judging criteria.
- Save your video file as an .MP4, .MOV, or .WMV file using your team name (i.e AceTeamPortflolio.MP4).
- Upload your video through the Chute submission system on our website by uploading your video to google drive and send it to curtisjlever@uvic.ca.
- Receive confirmation from curtisjlever@uvic.ca that your Carbon Offset Submission Form and Carbon Offset Video Justification have been received properly.
Video Tips
Gustavson professor Dr. Simon Pek welcomes you to the 2023 Carbon Offset Pitch Competition.
FAQ
Who can enter the competition?
Can I enter as part of a group?
Why get involved?
Creating a portfolio is super easy! You do not need to have any previous portfolio or video editing experience, all you have to do is gather pre-approved projects that you think fit best with Gustavson's Pillars and explain why. It is also a great chance to develop your research, analysis and pitching, and video editing skills - all while winning great prizes!
Prizes for the winning team or individual include a $400 cash prize and additional honorarium.
Second and Third place (individuals or teams) will also receive a $200 and $100 cash prize.
Participation counts as one professional development experience for COM 405 for fourth year BCom students!
But more than just a valuable addition to your skills and résumé, the offset competition gives you the opportunity to effect real environmental and social change in your school, local community, and the world at large!
How do I submit my portfolio?
The submission process is easy!
Individuals or teams of up to five students from across the Gustavson School of Business can submit their portfolio submission form by emailing it to curtisjlever@uvic.ca - videos can then be uploaded to our online submission system by clicking the "upload your video" button above. Submissions are open until Sunday, March 19. Along with your portfolio, you will be required to submit a short video (no more than 90 seconds) in which you and your team can explain the reasoning behind your chosen projects and their allocation. No previous experience is necessary and the video can be anything, from a cartoon, a recorded presentation, an Instagram story, to a short film. Be as creative as you want!
What kind of video should I submit?
Your video should summarize your project and portfolio allocation, and explain why the projects you pick best meet the contest judging criteria.
Your video submission can be anything you produce; a recorded presentation, a cartoon, a visual guide of your portfolio - be as creative as you like, and be persuasive!
You are more than welcome to record through zoom or find other creative ways to collaborate virtually.
All video submissions must be less than 90 seconds long.
We encourage students to use anything at their disposal to make their video. If you're looking for professional equipment the McPherson Music and Media Library has free video and recording equipment at your disposal such as cameras, green screens, tripods and much more! All information on how to rent equipment during COVID-19 can be found here.
Sample videos from previous years
Video Ideas:
- Record yourself presenting through zoom
- Record yourself in your yard or neighborhood
- Voiceover with stock video
- Voiceover a PowerPoint presentation
- Add text with stock images and videos
- Create charts and graphs
Video examples from previous years:
Helpful tricks and tips for creating your video
Listed below are some helpful links for stock content to use in your videos as well as some video ideas.
In order to ensure that your video does not get copyrighted here are some helpful sites to find videos, photos and music that won't cause any copyright issues.
Stock photos:
Stock video:
Royalty-Free Music:
Video Editor:
Video idea examples:
How will my submission be judged?
Your submission, including both the portfolio and the accompanying video will be judged based on the following criteria:
- Cost: the total cost of the portfolio (based on the cost per tonne of each project in the portfolio and the proportion of that project in the overall portfolio).
- Impact: the positive impact above and beyond the carbon offsets. For example, impacts can include any changes that these projects make to the lives of individuals, their families, their communities and the natural environment.
- Fit with Gustavson's Pillars: the portfolio and its social impact should fit with the GSB pillars: international, integrative, innovative, and sustainable/socially responsible.
- Persuasiveness: The overall persuasiveness, power, and engagement of the submission.
How will my video submission be used?
The top shortlisted video submissions will be screened at the Carbon Offset Pitch Competition award ceremony. The videos will give students, faculty, and staff across Gustavson the chance to see our school's sustainability ideas in action. Selected videos may also be used in social media and on website's by UVic and the Gustavson School of Business.
What are carbon offsets?
Carbon Offsetting means compensating for the carbon-containing pollution you make (your carbon footprint) by preventing the same amount of pollution from happening somewhere else, or by removing that much carbon from the Earth's atmosphere. In the past, Gustavson has invested in a variety of projects. Sample offsetting projects include forest conservation (trees remove carbon from the air; sustainable forestry creates jobs), a wastewater treatment plant that prevents methane from entering the air (and provided clean water for irrigation and aquaculture), stoves and water treatment that reduce the need to burn wood for fuel.
Gustavson offsets our travel and commuting tCO₂e (i.e., tons carbon dioxide equivalent). In this case we are offsetting our 2022 emissions. Although the 2022 data is not available yet, for reference, check out the 2020/2021 carbon report for a detailed breakdown of Gustavson's carbon emissions.
The actual cost of the offset projects then will be based on the winning portfolio project per tonne costs and the percent allocations in the winning team's portfolio as applied to our footprint. Your focus should be on the percentage allocations of the projects, as in the end you will be deciding the total money being allocated to offsetting.
Please consult the Carbon Offset Submission Document for more information on eligible projects.
How were the offset project options chosen?
- Offsetting providers are highly regarded: Offsetting firms are highly recommended by Pembina Institute, David Suzuki Foundation and ClimateSmart/BC Ministry of Environmental and Climate Change Strategy with each qualifying project/portfolio affirmatively meeting the other ten criteria below.
- Offset project is current: Project offers purchasable offsets during the time period covering January 30, 2023 through at least May 30, 2023 (e.g., between the start of our contest and the latest date by which we anticipate actually purchasing the offsets).
- Offset project is real and emissions reductions are additional: Projects result in actual reductions of GHG emissions that would not have otherwise occurred under a reasonable and realistic business-as-usual scenario.
- Offset project is transparent: Project details (including project type, location, developer, duration, standard employed, etc.) are known to the institution and communicated to stakeholders in a transparent way to help ensure validity and further the goal of education on climate disruption and sustainability.
- Emissions reductions are demonstrable: Project will result in measurable reductions of GHG emissions.
- Emissions reductions are considered permanent: Project will result in permanent, long-lived reductions of GHG emissions.
- Emissions reductions are verified: Project will result in reductions of GHG emissions that have been/will be verified by an independent third-party auditor.
- Credits are registered: Credits produced from project activities are registered with a well-regarded registry that has been evaluated using established criteria.
- Offset project is synchronous: Project will result in reductions of GHG emissions that take place during a distinct period of time that is close to the period during which the GHG emissions that are being offset took place. (For Gustavson School of Business, we want to purchase offsets by the end of May 2023 for our Scope 3 emissions from 2022).
- Offset project accounts for leakage: Project takes into account any increases in direct or indirect GHG emissions that result from the project activity/implementation.
- Offset project includes clear co-benefits: Project includes educational, social, economic development, and/or resiliency benefits as part of the offset.
- Credits are not double-counted: Offset credits produced from project activities are attributed to only one purchaser (i.e., not double-counted or counted and claimed by any other party).
I still have questions, who can I contact?
Students who have any questions about the competition are encouraged to attend upcoming information sessions. Details to be announced.
Alternatively, email curtisjlever@uvic.ca with any comments, questions, or queries you may have about the competition specifics, video creation or portfolio allocation.