Carbon Offset

Carbon offsets are tradable certificates representing the reduction or removal of one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. These offsets allow individuals, organizations, or governments to compensate for their own emissions by investing in environmental projects that reduce or sequester greenhouse gases elsewhere, thereby achieving a net-zero balance of emissions.

Common types of carbon offset projects include:

• Reforestation and Afforestation: Planting trees to absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis.
• Renewable Energy Projects: Developing wind, solar, or hydroelectric power to replace fossil fuel-based energy sources.
• Methane Capture: Collecting methane emissions from landfills or agricultural activities to prevent their release into the atmosphere.
• Energy Efficiency Improvements: Upgrading infrastructure or technology to reduce energy consumption and associated emissions.

While carbon offsets can play a role in mitigating climate change, it is essential to ensure that the offset projects are verifiable, additional (i.e., they would not have occurred without the offset funding), and permanent. Moreover, relying solely on offsets without making efforts to reduce one's own emissions may not lead to the substantial changes needed to address climate change effectively.

Source(s):

• MIT Climate Portal. (2022). Carbon Offsets.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (n.d.). Market Instruments.
• MIT Climate Portal. (2023). Explained: Carbon credits.

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