As the voluntary carbon offset market grows, how can each person make an impact?
In this critical time in history, finding solutions to combat climate change and reach carbon neutrality is paramount. Unfortunately, despite the urgent need for decarbonization, the process is complex and takes time.
Carbon offsets offer a relatively straightforward solution for mitigating emissions. However, given that the concept of carbon offsets is so new, there is a big learning curve for most people to understand what they are and how they work.
What are Carbon Offsets?
Think of carbon offsets as an investment in the future. When an offset is purchased by an individual or a company, the money spent is directed to a project that removes greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. These projects range from reforestation, to gas capture, to coral reef cleanup and conservation. These investments allow for carbon offset projects to be viable, removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere on an ongoing basis. These projects also provide a slew of co-benefits such as biodiversity, ecological health, job creation in project locations, as well as others.
Carbon Offsets for Homeowners
According to the EPA, the average American household produces 7 tonnes of operational carbon emissions per year. While this number represents only a tiny fraction of the billions of tonnes of carbon that reside in the Earth’s atmosphere, every home can make a difference.
Imagine if all the emissions from households around the world were eliminated–annual emissions caused by human activities would significantly decrease. As of 2016, there are approximately 135 million homes in the United States. If each of these homes purchased carbon offsets, nearly a billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions would be offset, eliminating over 30% of annual United States emissions.
Sounds expensive, you might say. Well, no, actually.
While prices for carbon offsets can vary greatly with some offsets costing hundreds of dollars, the bulk of carbon offsets cost about $20-45 per tonne offset. Offsetting a household’s annual carbon dioxide or equivalent emissions using Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Offset Marketplace would cost approximately $140.
Cancelling the Mega Carbon Emitters
The 2017 CDP Carbon Majors Report states that over 70% of manmade greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial revolution have been the product of actions from only 100 companies across the globe.
Clearly, the actions of a few are influencing the lives of many. Fortunately, companies in all sectors of our economy are taking responsibility for their emissions–partly in response to investor demand and also to gain public and government support.
Acting in environmentally friendly ways, despite having some financial burden, is met with other gains such as brand elevation and competitive differentiation. Many organizations are finding that the investment in carbon offsets is beneficial--and in many cases necessary–to reach their climate goals.
While the voluntary carbon offsets market is currently unregulated, the Biden Administration has begun to develop policies to regulate the market, ensuring its increasing validity as well as its continued growth and impact. Because of growing government involvement, both individuals and organizations can be more confident that their investments are being used as intended.
This will help individuals be secure in the fact that they are making a true, positive impact on the environment, while organizations can be certain that their risk of a dubious investment or greenwashing is minimized.
Many companies might turn down carbon offsets to avoid being labeled as a greenwashing company, who cares more about public opinion than the well-being of the environment. Between more in-depth government regulations, and third-party certifications of carbon offset projects and their integrity, organizations can rest assured that the risk of greenwashing is decreasing, especially as trustworthy groups like Green Builder Media enter the voluntary carbon market to sell high-quality, low-risk, financially reasonable offsets.
Edwin Siuda is an intern at Green Builder Media. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 2023 with a B.S. in Mechanical Science and Engineering and is continuing his education at Western Colorado University as a graduate student in the Environmental Management program and member of the Mountaineer track and cross country team.
Carbon Offsets: A Timely Solution
As the voluntary carbon offset market grows, how can each person make an impact?
In this critical time in history, finding solutions to combat climate change and reach carbon neutrality is paramount. Unfortunately, despite the urgent need for decarbonization, the process is complex and takes time.
Carbon offsets offer a relatively straightforward solution for mitigating emissions. However, given that the concept of carbon offsets is so new, there is a big learning curve for most people to understand what they are and how they work.
What are Carbon Offsets?
Think of carbon offsets as an investment in the future. When an offset is purchased by an individual or a company, the money spent is directed to a project that removes greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. These projects range from reforestation, to gas capture, to coral reef cleanup and conservation. These investments allow for carbon offset projects to be viable, removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere on an ongoing basis. These projects also provide a slew of co-benefits such as biodiversity, ecological health, job creation in project locations, as well as others.
Carbon Offsets for Homeowners
According to the EPA, the average American household produces 7 tonnes of operational carbon emissions per year. While this number represents only a tiny fraction of the billions of tonnes of carbon that reside in the Earth’s atmosphere, every home can make a difference.
Imagine if all the emissions from households around the world were eliminated–annual emissions caused by human activities would significantly decrease. As of 2016, there are approximately 135 million homes in the United States. If each of these homes purchased carbon offsets, nearly a billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions would be offset, eliminating over 30% of annual United States emissions.
Sounds expensive, you might say. Well, no, actually.
While prices for carbon offsets can vary greatly with some offsets costing hundreds of dollars, the bulk of carbon offsets cost about $20-45 per tonne offset. Offsetting a household’s annual carbon dioxide or equivalent emissions using Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Offset Marketplace would cost approximately $140.
Cancelling the Mega Carbon Emitters
The 2017 CDP Carbon Majors Report states that over 70% of manmade greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial revolution have been the product of actions from only 100 companies across the globe.
Clearly, the actions of a few are influencing the lives of many. Fortunately, companies in all sectors of our economy are taking responsibility for their emissions–partly in response to investor demand and also to gain public and government support.
Acting in environmentally friendly ways, despite having some financial burden, is met with other gains such as brand elevation and competitive differentiation. Many organizations are finding that the investment in carbon offsets is beneficial--and in many cases necessary–to reach their climate goals.
While the voluntary carbon offsets market is currently unregulated, the Biden Administration has begun to develop policies to regulate the market, ensuring its increasing validity as well as its continued growth and impact. Because of growing government involvement, both individuals and organizations can be more confident that their investments are being used as intended.
This will help individuals be secure in the fact that they are making a true, positive impact on the environment, while organizations can be certain that their risk of a dubious investment or greenwashing is minimized.
Many companies might turn down carbon offsets to avoid being labeled as a greenwashing company, who cares more about public opinion than the well-being of the environment. Between more in-depth government regulations, and third-party certifications of carbon offset projects and their integrity, organizations can rest assured that the risk of greenwashing is decreasing, especially as trustworthy groups like Green Builder Media enter the voluntary carbon market to sell high-quality, low-risk, financially reasonable offsets.
Read more articles on carbon offsets here.
By Edwin Siuda
Edwin Siuda is an intern at Green Builder Media. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 2023 with a B.S. in Mechanical Science and Engineering and is continuing his education at Western Colorado University as a graduate student in the Environmental Management program and member of the Mountaineer track and cross country team.Also Read