How do I purchase carbon offsets?

What are carbon offsets? The World Resources Institute, based in Washington D.C., says carbon offsets are carbon emissions that are reduced, avoided or sequestered from the atmosphere to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere.

For example, if a person’s annual air travel will emit one ton of carbon emissions, they could purchase one ton of carbon offsets to neutralize their greenhouse gas emissions impact.

Examples of offsets include renewable energy projects, the destruction of industrial and landfill pollutants, and forestry projects.

So how do we purchase offsets? That depends on location, and whether those offsets are for a company, organization, or individual.

The compliance market sells offsets to governments and multinational companies, while smaller voluntary markets target individuals and smaller companies trying to reduce their own emissions.

With all the various types of offsets available, it’s a good idea to check if the offset is verified by an independent body.

Purchasing Carbon Offsets, a guide developed by the David Suzuki Foundation and the Pembina Institute, notes that the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA), an association of offset vendors, uses a best-practice code.

The United Nations also reviews offsets and applies the UN Certified Emission Reductions label to certified projects.

To learn more about carbon offsets, check out the ICROA website or the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change site.

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