ICE Database Supporter System

The ICE Database is a free resource. Circular Ecology are committed to keeping it freely available. However, the reality is that funds need to be raised to cover the maintenance and development of the database.  

Updates have been too infrequent, being in 2011, 2019 and more recently 2024. The embodied carbon landscape has changed immeasurably over that time, but the ICE database wasn’t updated enough to reflect this. We intend to change this and plan to bring all the old data up to date (various data is still from the 2011 version). We also hope to expand the database in the future.

In order to help raise the funds for the maintenance and development of the ICE database, we have developed a supporter system. Contributions are optional for all users.

This will recognise organisations that have made contributions to the ICE database, with several levels of support to suit different organisation sizes.

Contribution Tiers for Standard Supporters

Contribution levels to become a standard supporter will depend on company size. Suggested contributions are below: 

These standard level sponsors will last for 12 months. The company logo will appear on an ICE Database supporter’s webpage over this period. After the duration is up, the logo will be removed from the page, but acknowledgement will be moved to a previous supporters list (no logos). Alternatively, the company may make additional contribution to cover the next 12 month period.

Direct contributions can be made by contacting us. However, we have also built contributions into the products on our online webstore: 

• E-learning training courses 
  • Embodied carbon  
  • Essential carbon footprinting  
  • Introduction to life cycle assessment (LCA) 
• Carbon offset credits 
• Tree planting packs 

Contribution Tiers for Key Supporters 

In addition to the standard supporter system, we have developed higher supporter tiers for organisations that have made a larger contribution to the ICE Database. There are five tiers, which cover various levels of financial contribution over the last 3-year period.  

In addition to the above tiers, there is a tier to recognise organisations that have provided large amounts of data for the background ICE dataset. These organisations can obtain the Data Partners recognition.

For all higher supported tiers, the contribution is considered over a rolling 3 year period. After the rolling average contribution drops below the latest tier 1 threshold, the recognition is moved to a previous supporters acknowledgment section on the webpage (no logos). 

Benefits for being on the supporter system: 

• All – logo on supporter webpage, presented in order of tiers. Each tier alphabetical order. 
• Key supporters tier 1 star and above – acknowledgement in the ICE DB (acknowledgements page, not on front page) 
• All – acknowledgement on LinkedIn network, supporters in a combined post with other supporters. Tier 1 star and above, dedicated acknowledgement post on LinkedIn 
• All – acknowledgement on any ICE Database related webinars 
• Activator and above – logo on ICE DB front page for as long as 3 year contribution is within the band (threshold for logo on front to be reviewed periodically). Order largest contribution first 

In order to discuss becoming a key supporter, please contact us here.

Products with Contributions Built-in

The amount diverted is currently (last updated date), as below: 

• e-learning Training Courses: This is composed of two rates: 
  • Default: 25% of the excluding VAT fee is diverted into the Scaling Carbon Reductions Initiative for all of our training courses. The exception is where it is a booster course, such as the below: 
  • ICE Database Fund Raising Courses: Currently the ICE Database is our most widely known resource, and also the most in need of funding. We have therefore nominated our Embodied Carbon Training Couse as a fund raising booster. For all sales of this course, we currently divert 66.67% of the excluding VAT fee into a fund specifically to use to update the ICE Database.  

• Carbon offset credits: For all carbon offset credit sales, we divert £1 per tCO2e offset into the Scaling Carbon Reductions Initiative.  

• Tree planting packs: Tree planting packs are our only product that are exposed to exchange rates (GBP to USD). The rates may therefore be updated if exchange rates move notably. However, we currently divert £250 per 1,000 trees planted (28th November 2024) 

The e-learning training course on embodied carbon specifically goes only towards ICE database maintenance activities. Other diversions go into our Scaling Carbon Reductions Initiative by default. However, should you purchase any of the above products, just email us the order confirmation and you can let us know if you would like the good causes contribution to go specifically towards the ICE Database. 

e-Learning Training Courses

Initially run a ICE DB booster where 66.67% of all training course sales goes to ICE DB specifically – run until end June 25.  

Note that after this, all courses will go down to 25% to the general scaling carbon reduction initiative. The embodied carbon training course will remain at 66.67% to ICE DB specifically. 

Note: Temp ICE DB booster, 66.67% to ICE DB – all courses – ends 30 June 25

Courses for individual sale. Although will implement offer for buying more than one course at once, or more than one person at once (e.g. currently 3 people for price of 2 on same course)

For example, a business purchasing access for 1 person to our embodied carbon course, there will be a contribution of £530 towards updating the ICE Database. The remainer will be used towards running and maintain the training courses themselves.

Carbon Offset Credits

Circular Ecology have carbon offset registry accounts with:

• Gold Standard
• Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)
• Plan Vivo

We have embedded a contribution to our Scaling Carbon Reductions Initiative into all carbon offset sales. The amount diverted will always be stated on our online store, or alongside a quote for larger tCO2e volumes.

However, the default contribution is £1 per tCO2e offset (28th November 2024). So for example, offsetting 1,000 tCO2e will divert £1,000 into our Scaling Carbon Reductions Initiative.

Tree Planting

Circular Ecology is partnered with Eden: People+Planet. We have facilitated the planting of over 750,000 trees so far. This has primarily been through embedding tree planting into our core products and services, including carbon offsetting, consultancy and training courses. However, we have now also added tree planting packs to our online store.

Tree planting packs are our only product that are exposed to exchange rates (GBP to USD). The rates may therefore be updated if exchange rates move notably. However, we currently divert £250 per 1,000 trees planted (28th November 2024).

Direct Donations

We have embedded contributions to our Scaling Carbon Reductions Initiative, or to specifically the ICE Database specifically into several of our core products. However, if none of those are of interest, but you would still like to support the ICE Database, direct donations can also be made. To discuss a more direct donation, please contact us.

Find Out More About Our Scaling Carbon Reductions Initiative

To find out more please see our webpage on Scaling Carbon Reductions Initiative. Or to discuss supporting our free data, tools and resources, please contact us.