Carbon offset is the purchase ("offsetting") of greenhouse gas emissions. It is commonly associated with offseting the greenhouse gas emissions from air travel, but may be used in many contexts.
The critical issue is how effective the offsets are - for example, if trees are planted, when are they planted, and how long before they absorb significant amounts of greenhouse gases - or indeed, whether they are planted at all.
Additionality
For a project to generate legitimate carbon offsets it has to be additional - not "business as usual projects" such as projects that would have been done anyway to comply with new laws or to reduce energy costs.
Personal measures
It may be worth asking whether there are personal measures that could have a similar impact, but more effectively. Planting a tree, buying a more fuel-efficient car, purchasing a solar hot water heater (or space heater), insulating your house or eating less meat may be more effective than paying for carbon credits. Some will be very costly (buying a new car, if you didn't have plans to do so anyway) while others may put you financially in front within 3 years[verification needed] (solar hot water).
See also
Interwiki links
External links
- Much Ado About Carbon Offsets - blog post on Copybrighter.com, October 28th, 2007. Asks whether carbon offsets as practised are effective or just greenwash.