Carbon offset: what is it?

The so-called compensation process carbon consists, after having sought to reduce, on the spot, its CO emissions₂to set up projects to reduce or capture and carbon sequestration in another place. This approach is therefore one of the tools that can be implemented to achieve carbon neutrality aimed at reducing the global warming.

This carbon offsetting approach is based on the fact that the action of greenhouse gas effects is global. Wherever the CO₂ is emitted, it has the same effect on the climate. Likewise, decrease the emissions in one place or another has the same interest for the planet. Thus CO emissions₂ here can theoretically be offset by a reduction in emissions or a capture there.

A forced or voluntary approach

Entering into a carbon offsetting process therefore amounts to financing a greenhouse gas reduction or sequestration project, whatever it may be. These projects may relate to energy efficiency, the production ofrenewable energy or reforestation. The committed actor (individual, company, community, etc.) acquires for this from a specialized operator, “carbon units” corresponding to the volume emissions it wishes to offset. A “carbon unit” generally corresponds to a ton of CO equivalent₂ avoided by the funded project.

It should be noted that the carbon offset process can be undertaken by industrial players whose emissions are capped by international regulations. But it can also interest volunteers and in this case, it is not governed by a public institution.

Be that as it may, carbon offsetting meets a few rather strict rules:

• The calculation of greenhouse gas emissions avoided must follow a methodology validated — and verified annually — by an independent third party.
• CO emissions₂ should be avoided — relative to a baseline — for at least 7 years.
• It must be proven that without the funding provided, the project would not have been possible.