Carbon offsets 101
A plain-English guide to what carbon offsets are, whether they work, and how to choose ones that actually count.
What is a carbon offset?
A carbon offset funds an activity that removes or avoids one tonne of CO₂ — planting forests, capturing carbon from the air, protecting wetlands. Buy one tonne of offsets to counterbalance one tonne you couldn't avoid emitting.
Does carbon offsetting actually work?
It can — but quality varies wildly. Studies suggest a large share of credits on the market don't deliver what they claim. That's exactly why the four tests below matter, and why we fund a curated portfolio rather than whatever is cheapest.
What makes a good offset?
- Additional. The project only happens because of this funding — it isn't business-as-usual.
- Permanent. The carbon stays stored, ideally for a century or more.
- Measured. Impact is quantified and verified by independent, science-based standards.
- Not double-counted. Each tonne is retired once and recorded on a public registry.
Offsetting is not a free pass
Offsets don't cancel the harm of emitting — reducing your emissions always comes first. Offsetting is for the footprint you can't yet eliminate. We'll never tell you a purchase makes you "carbon neutral" beyond the specific tonnes verifiably retired.
How to start
Two simple paths: offset a one-off amount right now, or measure your footprint and subscribe monthly so you stay covered. Either way you can see the projects your money supports.
FAQ
- How much does it cost to offset a tonne of CO₂?
- High-integrity credits typically run in the tens of dollars per tonne. Very cheap credits are often a red flag for low quality.
- Are carbon offsets a scam?
- Some low-quality credits deserve the criticism. Reputable offsets that pass additionality, permanence, verification, and no-double-counting tests do deliver real climate benefit.
- What's the difference between avoidance and removal?
- Avoidance prevents emissions that would otherwise happen (e.g. protecting a forest); removal takes existing CO₂ out of the air (e.g. direct air capture). A good portfolio uses both.
- Should I reduce or offset first?
- Reduce first, always. Offsetting is for the emissions you can't yet cut, not a substitute for cutting them.