An overview of carbon offset

SECTION 1: AN OVERVIEW OF CARBON OFFSETS CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE NEED FOR ACTION Problems:   ⇒ 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 ⇒ 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   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) • • 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  Individuals, businesses, organizations take responsibility for their own climate impacts  Address GHG from economic sectors [...].. .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) • • 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?... 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  Individuals, businesses, organizations take responsibility for their own climate impacts  Address GHG from