carbon offsetting

what are carbon offsets?

A carbon offset is a means to reduce, eliminate or compensate for CO₂ emissions.

There are two ways to do this. One is by preventing emissions and the second by capturing past emissions that are already in the atmosphere.

An example of the first type is to build a dam to generate clean electricity. The cost of the project is met by selling carbon offsets to users who wish to reduce their carbon footprint.

We can calculate the amount of CO₂ that is not emitted as a result of building the dam (compared to how it would have been if the energy was produced by fossil fuels). The saving in emissions translates to a number of carbon offsets per year.

As a result of this transaction emissions are cut.

An example of the second type of offset is a reforestation programme.

These offsets are slightly different. The carbon is captured from the atmosphere over a number of years into the future. We can calculate the CO₂ that will be captured by the forests over the trees’ life spans. This translates in carbon offsets that can be purchased by users today.

The CO₂ emissions today will be cancelled out over time with these offsets and the total effect of the transaction will be a zero carbon footprint.

Arguably the second type of offset is better because it can cancel out emissions, whereas the first type helps to reduce them.

Also frequently discussed in this context are “carbon credits”. These are allowances to emit CO₂ based on quotas set out by the Kyoto agreement. Those who do not use their “credit” sell it on.

We do not sell carbon credits and we do not approve of them. We believe that given the climate crisis it is wrong to certify any acceptable emission levels. The only scientifically acceptable emission level is zero.

All unavoidable emissions should be offset through programmes of carbon capture in order to cancel out the carbon footprint.