An overview of carbon offset

SECTION 1:

AN OVERVIEW OF CARBON OFFSETS


CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE NEED FOR ACTION

Problems:

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GHG emissions create a heat-trapping blanket around the Earth => rising temperature
economies heavily dependent on burning fossil fuels
Solution: Carbon offsetting


WHAT IS CARBON FOOTPRINT?


Carbon footprint is the total of all of the greenhouse gas emissions emitted as a result of
various activities.




REDUCING EMISSIONS: THE #1 PRIORITY
Problem can only be solved if individuals, businesses, and organizations make
substantial cuts in their own direct greenhouse gas emissions wherever they
can, throughout their activities.

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Offsets can be used as a supplementing tool.


WHAT ARE CARBON OFFSETS?


Carbon offsets are an innovative, market-based way to take responsibility for the carbon footprint that remains after efforts have
been made to reduce emissions.

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Anyone can purchase carbon offsets to balance their own emissions.
Purchase enough offsets => net emissions will be zero => carbon neutral



Carbon offset projects: wind farm, small hydro projects, biomass projects, energy efficiency projects, preserving forests, and
planting trees …
Carbon offsets are quantified and sold in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)

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1.2 MW wind farm in Madagascar = 1790 tonnes of CO22 reduced/years
4.5 MW biomass energy in India = 10550 tonnes of CO22 reduced/years

WHO BUY CARBON OFFSETS?

Businesses
Government
Financial Institutions
NGOs
Individuals


WHERE CARBON OFFSETS ARE SOLD?

Compliance Carbon Market

CARBON MARKET

Voluntary Carbon Market


WHY USE CARBON OFFSETS?
Key benefit: create reductions in greenhouse gas emissions


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Individuals, businesses, organizations take responsibility for their own climate impacts


 Address GHG from economic sectors.