Emission remediation

• US 20060106635A1
• Filed: 11/17/2005
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania (University of Pennsylvania)
• Original Assignee: George Favaloro, Karl Ulrich
• Inventors: Favaloro, George, Ulrich, Karl
• Application Number:
  US11/281,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20060106635A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/400
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

An emission remediation system and methods are disclosed. An emission remediation indicator associated with an emission-related activity is vended. At least a portion of proceeds from the vending of remediation indicators is aggregated into a fund. A remediation activity by an emission producer is funded using the aggregate fund.

Claims

1. A method for remediating polluting emissions, comprising:

vending an emission remediation indicator associated with a polluting emission-related activity to generate proceeds; and

aggregating at least a portion of the proceeds to fund a polluting emission remediation activity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the emission remediation indicator is publicly displayable.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the emission-related activity comprises polluting emission producing goods or services, energy-related operating, using, shipping, manufacturing or disposing of goods;

or energy consuming services associated with an event;

hosting an event;

attending an event;

heating;

ventilating;

air conditioning;

or refrigerating, wherein energy production, consumption or use is associated with a polluting emission.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the proceeds are derived from a price associated with vending of the emission remediation indicator.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating a price for the emission remediation indicator using one or more bases selected from the group comprising cost of remediating a quantity of emissions associated with the emission-related activity, a product category associated with the emission-related activity, a usage quantum associated with the emission-related activity, or a demographic category associated with the emission-related activity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the emission remediation indicator is displayable on an polluting emission-producing object associated with the polluting emission-related activity.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the emission remediation indicator comprises an electronic, magnetic or optical component further comprising a transmitter or a data store, or both.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the remediation activity comprises shifting usage by the emission producer from a first energy source associated with a first quantity of polluting emission to a second energy source associated with a second quantity of polluting emission, the second quantity being lower than the first quantity.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the remediation activity further comprises reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with an emission producer.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising vending offsets on an exchange.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising authorizing an intermediary party to vend the emission remediation indicator to one or more clients associated with the emission-related activity.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising vending at least one product associated with the emission-related activity to the one or more clients.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the product comprises at least a component of a polluting emission-producing good or service.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising certifying that a price associated with the vended emission remediation indicator is greater than or equal to a cost for remediating a quantity of polluting emissions associated with the emission-related activity.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising authorizing an incentive provider to associate a purchase by a client of the emission remediation indicator with a tangible or intangible incentive to the client.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the incentive comprises a right, benefit, or cost-savings to the client, as compared with an individual without such right, benefit, or cost-saving incentive.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising vending a remediation credit associated with the emission remediation indicator.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising calculating the remediation credit based upon a fuel or energy purchase.

19. A method for remediating polluting emissions comprising:

providing an offer to a party to engage in a remediation activity;

providing funds to a party to realize the remediation activity, wherein the funds are generated in whole or in part from vending proceeds for vending one or more remediation indicators; and

monitoring the remediation activity.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the remediation activity further comprises reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with an emission producer.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the emission producer is an energy provider.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the remediation activity comprises shifting usage by the emission producer from a first energy source associated with a first quantity of polluting emissions to a second energy source associated with a second quantity of polluting emissions, the second quantity being lower than the first quantity.

23. A method for remediating polluting emissions comprising:

purchasing an emission remediation indicator associated with a polluting emission-related activity, wherein the remediation indicator is representative of one or more remediation programs having a protocol in which at least a portion of the proceeds from the purchase of remediation indicators is directed to a remediation activity; and

displaying the emission remediation indicator.

24. A system for remediating polluting emissions comprising:

emission remediation indicator associated with an emission-related activity, the indicator having a remediation price based at least upon a cost of remediating a quantity of emissions associated with the emission-related activity;

means for funding remediation activities, using at least a portion of proceeds derived from the remediation price, and

funds usable for funding remediation activities.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the remediation activity further comprises reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with an emission producer.

26. An emission remediation indicator displayable on an polluting emission-producing object associated with an polluting emission-related activity, the remediation indicator having a price based at least upon a cost of remediating a quantity of polluting emissions associated with the emission-related activity.