An overview of carbon offset

SECTION 1 :AN OVERVIEW OF CARBON OFFSETS... CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE NEED FOR ACTIONProblems:  GHG emissions create a heat-trapping blanket around the Earth => rising temperature  econom

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

Þ 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

Þ 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

CARBON MARKET

Compliance Carbon Market

Voluntary Carbon Market

WHERE CARBON OFFSETS ARE SOLD?

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.