Clean Air Cab
Encyclopedia
Clean Air Cab is an Arizona
-based carbon-neutral taxi
service provider, and the second taxi fleet in the U.S. to use only hybrid vehicles. Based in Mesa, Arizona
, it serves the Phoenix
area with environmentally friendly transportation service by using clean automotive technology
.
philosophy. This ensures that the actions taken by the company are positively reflected in a sociological, ecological, and economical way, in turn benefiting people, planet, and profit on equal levels.
vehicles, whose hybrid design helps cut emissions by 160% compared to typical taxi fleets of Ford Crown Victoria
s. Only vehicles that qualify as Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
s, which are hybrid vehicles that work to minimize air pollution, are used. Using hybrid vehicles helps the state of Arizona do its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with the Western Climate Initiative
, which is "a collaboration of independent jurisdictions who commit to work together to identify, evaluate, and implement policies to tackle climate change at a regional level."
s and [supporting] global reforestation
by subsidizing the planting of 10 rain forest trees monthly for each cab in service." The atmospheric carbon reduction partners are Trees for Tempe at the local level, and Trees for the Future
and Carbonfund.org
on a global level. Both Trees for Tempe and Trees for the Future focus on planting trees as a major method of carbon sequestration "because trees have a huge capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere," reducing damage done by carbon emissions related to transportation.
Involvement with Carbonfund.org helps reduce the harmful emissions resulting from transporting consumer goods in the U.S. by being a part of the funding of the Truck Stop Electrification Project. The success of this project would allow freight trucks to use truck stop electrification technology to stop the diesel fuel wasted by idling engines from adding to air pollution.
The company works with EcoAid to manage carbon levels and promote sustainability
through the trade of carbon offsets to compensate for the lowered but unavoidable carbon footprint
left by the taxi service. EcoAid works with the Chicago Climate Exchange
to take action against climate change fueled by emission of greenhouse gas
es. Carbon offsets are an integral part of the cap and trade industry established by the Kyoto Protocol
.
. In December 2009, Clean Air Cab sponsored the Pro Players Classic charity golf tournament. Clean Air Cab actively participates in the Valley Metro
's Adopt-A-Station program to maintain cleanliness at light rail stations, promoting the use of environmentally friendly transportation choices.
focusing on environmental protection and sustainability.
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
-based carbon-neutral taxi
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
service provider, and the second taxi fleet in the U.S. to use only hybrid vehicles. Based in Mesa, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
, it serves the Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
area with environmentally friendly transportation service by using clean automotive technology
Green vehicle
A green vehicle or environmentally friendly vehicle is a road motor vehicle that produces less harmful impacts to the environment than comparable conventional internal combustion engine vehicles running on gasoline or diesel, or one that uses alternative fuels...
.
Background
The main goal of the operation is to be an environmentally aware business, and to take action to mitigate the damage done by pollution while providing a reliable and competitive transportation service. Launched in October 2009, it is the first subsidiary company of Beyond Green, L.L.C.Management
Clean Air Cab is managed and run with a triple bottom lineTriple bottom line
The triple bottom line captures an expanded spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organizational success: economic, ecological, and social...
philosophy. This ensures that the actions taken by the company are positively reflected in a sociological, ecological, and economical way, in turn benefiting people, planet, and profit on equal levels.
Lowering emissions
The taxi fleet consists of 29 Toyota PriusToyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation...
vehicles, whose hybrid design helps cut emissions by 160% compared to typical taxi fleets of Ford Crown Victoria
Ford Crown Victoria
-1992–1994:Released in March 1991 as an early 1992 model, the Crown Victoria sedan was completely redesigned with a rounder, eight-window roofline . The redesign reduced the coefficient of drag from 0.42 to 0.34; the suspension setup was also heavily revised...
s. Only vehicles that qualify as Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle is a U.S. classification for conventionally powered, natural gas powered, or gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle designed to produce minimal emissions of certain categories of air pollution at their exhaust, typically 90% less than that of an equivalent ordinary full...
s, which are hybrid vehicles that work to minimize air pollution, are used. Using hybrid vehicles helps the state of Arizona do its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with the Western Climate Initiative
Western Climate Initiative
The Western Climate Initiative, or WCI, is an initiative—started by states and provinces along the western rim of North America—to combat climate change caused by global warming, independent of their national governments....
, which is "a collaboration of independent jurisdictions who commit to work together to identify, evaluate, and implement policies to tackle climate change at a regional level."
Carbon offset
In addition to lowering emissions, the company proactively helps reduce environmental damage by "[purchasing] carbon offsetCarbon offset
A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere....
s and [supporting] global reforestation
Reforestation
Reforestation is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted, usually through deforestation....
by subsidizing the planting of 10 rain forest trees monthly for each cab in service." The atmospheric carbon reduction partners are Trees for Tempe at the local level, and Trees for the Future
Trees for the Future
Trees for the Future is a Maryland-based nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that helps communities around the world plant trees. Through seed distribution, agroforestry training, and in-country technical assistance, it has empowered rural groups to restore tree cover to their lands, protect...
and Carbonfund.org
Carbonfund.org
The Carbonfund.org Foundation is a 501 not-for-profit organization based in Silver Spring, MD that provides carbon offsetting and greenhouse gas reduction options to individuals, businesses, and organizations. Carbonfund.org purchases and retires certified carbon offsets on behalf of its donors...
on a global level. Both Trees for Tempe and Trees for the Future focus on planting trees as a major method of carbon sequestration "because trees have a huge capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere," reducing damage done by carbon emissions related to transportation.
Involvement with Carbonfund.org helps reduce the harmful emissions resulting from transporting consumer goods in the U.S. by being a part of the funding of the Truck Stop Electrification Project. The success of this project would allow freight trucks to use truck stop electrification technology to stop the diesel fuel wasted by idling engines from adding to air pollution.
The company works with EcoAid to manage carbon levels and promote sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
through the trade of carbon offsets to compensate for the lowered but unavoidable carbon footprint
Carbon footprint
A carbon footprint has historically been defined as "the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person.". However, calculating a carbon footprint which conforms to this definition is often impracticable due to the large amount of data required, which is...
left by the taxi service. EcoAid works with the Chicago Climate Exchange
Chicago Climate Exchange
The now defunct Chicago Climate Exchange was North America’s only voluntary, legally binding greenhouse gas reduction and trading system for emission sources and offset projects in North America and Brazil....
to take action against climate change fueled by emission of greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
es. Carbon offsets are an integral part of the cap and trade industry established by the Kyoto Protocol
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change , aimed at fighting global warming...
.
Charity involvement
From November 1, 2009 until November 1, 2010, the specially wrapped pink cab donated a portion of its fares to Susan G. Komen for the CureSusan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is the most widely known, largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the US....
. In December 2009, Clean Air Cab sponsored the Pro Players Classic charity golf tournament. Clean Air Cab actively participates in the Valley Metro
Valley Metro (Phoenix)
Valley Metro is the unified public brand of the regional transit system in and around the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area, responsible for public transit.-About Valley Metro:...
's Adopt-A-Station program to maintain cleanliness at light rail stations, promoting the use of environmentally friendly transportation choices.
Affiliations
Clean Air Cab is a member of both the Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. It is also a member of Valley Forward, a Phoenix-based non-profit organizationNon-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
focusing on environmental protection and sustainability.