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.