The race to net-zero is on, and every decarbonization tool matters. Companies can’t afford to rely solely on renewable energy or improved manufacturing processes—they must also leverage carbon offsets to bridge the gap.
We’ve reached a critical moment where embracing every available decarbonization strategy is essential. It’s a yes, and moment. Move toward electrification? Yes. Improve energy efficiency? Yes. Digitize to optimize? Yes.
Major corporations such as Microsoft, Unilever, Alphabet, and Cemex have embraced the yes, and moment. They are not just committing to long-term net-zero goals—they are actively developing internal decarbonization solutions while using carbon offsets to address hard-to-eliminate emissions they cannot yet neutralize on their own.
Take Cemex, for example—a major concrete producer in North America that is leading the way in low-carbon innovation. Today, 56% of its cement sales come from Vertua® cement and ready-mix, both low-embodied carbon products, surpassing its 2025 target of 50%.
While aggressively decarbonizing its products and operations through R&D, Cemex also leverages carbon offsets to further reduce emissions. This approach reflects a broader strategy among companies using carbon offsets to complement their decarbonization efforts.
As more companies take this dual approach, the voluntary carbon market has surged.
Valued at $2 billion in 2022, the market is projected to reach $100 billion by 2030 and $250 billion by 2050.
This rapid growth has sparked concerns about greenwashing and heightened the demand for stronger oversight. In response, organizations like the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) have introduced new guidelines to improve transparency and market oversight.
These guidelines provide a foundation for third-party certifiers to verify the credibility and authenticity of carbon offsets. With multiple certifying bodies—such as The Gold Standard, Verra, and Climate Action Reserve (CAR)—but no universal standard to certify against, the issued guidelines help ensure consistency across the market.
With time, the voluntary carbon market will see more standardization, but you don’t have to wait to take action and decarbonize.
Green Builder Media's COGNITION Carbon Offset Marketplace provides verified, high-quality offsets that meet today’s industry standards, ensuring transparency, reliability, and meaningful climate impact. By acting now, companies can confidently invest in offsets that help bridge the gap to net-zero while the market continues to mature.
The race to net-zero demands a yes, and approach—our COGNITION Carbon Offset Marketplace makes it easier to say yes with confidence.
Learn more about Green Builder Media's COGNITION Carbon Offset Marketplace today!