In 2007, the Vatican announced plans to become the "first carbon neutral sovereign state"^[1] with an emphasis on solar power and the Vatican Climate Forest which would offset the Vatican's carbon emissions.^[1] The Vatican announced that the roof of the Paul VI Audience Hall would be covered with photovoltaic panels in May 2007.^[2] The installation was officially placed into service on November 26, 2008.^[3]

The Vatican Climate Forest, sized to offset the Vatican's 2007 carbon emissions, was announced in July 2007.^[1]^[4] Hungarian start-up Klimafa, a subsidiary of the carbon offsetting company Planktos, offered to plant trees to restore a forest near Tisza River over 37 acres.^[1]^[5] It promised to plant over 125,000 trees.^[6] Dell and European governments also bought Klimafa's carbon offsets.^[5] The land has not had trees since the Middle Ages when it was cleared for agriculture.^[5] It now belongs to Bükk National Park but, as of 2007, corn continues to be farmed illegally on the land.^[5]

The Vatican's acceptance of the offer, at a ceremony on July 5, 2007, was reported as being "purely symbolic",^[4] and a way to encourage Catholics to do more to safeguard the planet.^[7] An official from the Vatican's Council for Culture stated "one can emit less CO2 by not using heating and not driving a car, or one can do penance by intervening to offset emissions, in this case by planting trees".^[5]

In September 2008, Klimafa promised it would plant the trees in December despite its parent company Planktos closing.^[6] The company has not planted the trees that would have made up the Vatican Climate Forest.^[8] As of 2011, the Vatican is considering legal action against Klimafa.^[8] In an interview, Mayor Kiss Lajos of Tiszakeszi stated "we felt honored because the Vatican chose our village"^[9] but now "feel sorry".^[9]

History

See also

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External links