Carbon Offsetting
Carbon offsetting is an attempt to compensative for carbon producing activities. But Carbon offsetting is also complicated, with many dimensions to keep track of, including the following.
CARBON OFFSETS
Carbon offsetting is an attempt to compensative for carbon producing activities. Money is donated to support projects such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, bio-sequestration (e.g. planting trees), and methane capture. Unfortunately, carbon offsetting is "the wild west" with little standardization in calculating carbon production and evaluating offsetting investments. Buyer beware -- so the more you know the better..
Carbon offsetting is also complicated, with many dimensions to keep track of, including the following.
Offset plans: Plans developed by both for-profit and non-profit companies that offer individuals, groups, and businesses a way to calculate carbon emissions and offset them by investing in various projects that (the companies claim) mitigate carbon production. Click here to see an analysis of some recommended offset plans.
Projects: specific projects used by offset plans that lead to emission reductions (ER). Projects include the development of alternative energy, energy efficiency, bio-sequestration (e.g., planting trees), geo-sequestration, and methane capture.
Standards: standards used by plans and by evaluating agencies in determining minimum requirements and in comparing the quality of different programs. Click here to see a list of standards and their websites.
Calculators: mechanisms for determining carbon emissions and the cost to offset those emission. Click here to see a list of calculators and their websites.
Evaluating Agencies: agencies that evaluate different carbon offset plans and make recommendations. Click here to see a list of evaluating agencies.
RESOURCES
Introductions: basic explanations of carbon emissions and carbon offsetting. Click here for a good place to begin learning about carbon offsets.
Guides: reports that introduce the reader to carbon offsets and aids in determining appropriate carbon offset plans. The best place to go after you have some of the basics down. Most valuable in their evaluations of offsetting plans. Click here to see a list of guides.
Glossaries: explanations of terms and abbreviations used in carbon offsets. Learn the lingo or be lost. Links to three glossaries are below:
>> Consumer’s Guide to Carbon Offsets (pp. 13-14)
>> Gold Standard
>> Tufts Climate Initiative
Documents: detailed reports and studies. Click here if you want to go deeper into carbon offsetting.
