Carbon Offsetting

What is Carbon Offsetting?

A carbon offsetting scheme zeros out all or part of the carbon dioxide emissions of a party by reducing the emissions of another party. This reduces net greenhouse gas emissions with the aim of combating global warming. Effectively offsetting the emissions of an activity makes that activity "carbon neutral". The most widespread means of offset entails planting of trees to absorb carbon dioxide.

Offsetting activities can vary widely: the most frequent is tree planting, followed by various energy conservation activities, sometimes certified as CDM credits, and sometimes in the form of allowances purchased from the EU ETS.

Carbon offset providers often provide a "carbon calculator" to estimate personal or business carbon dioxide emissions arising from consumption of electricity, petrol, air travel, etc. The fossil fuel usage of one average residence in the UK produces 11 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. At the bottom of this page there is a list of companies who sell offsetting credits.

Local carbon offsetting companies

Carbon Offset Provider	Price (GBP£/Metric ton CO2)	Non-profit	Projects Types	Project Choice	Offset Types
DrivingGreen - Ireland	£4.25	No	Renewables	No	Car
Carbon Clear - UK	£9.00	No	Reforestation	No	Home, Car, Air, Babies
Carbon Neutral Company - UK	£6.90 - 14.30	No	Renewables, Efficiency, Reforestation	Yes	Home, Car, Air, Events, Business
Trees for Life - UK	£10.50 approx.	Yes	Reforestation	No	Car, Air, Public Transport
Grow a Forest - UK	£11.65 & Up	No	Reforestation, Gifts	No	Air, Car, Home, Business