Carbon Offsetting O Neutrality

What is CARBON NEUTRALITY?

Carbon Neutrality is conceptually the practice of goinggreen by offsetting all emission footprints that are generated from businessoperation or any activity of company/industry/institutes or even individual. Theprocess of offsetting such emission footprints (generally called as GHGfootprint or carbon footprint) is “Carbon Neutrality” in generic term. A carbonoffset is a certified carbon credit for greenhouse gas reductions achievedby one party that can be purchased and used to compensate (offset) theemissions of another party. Here, once carbon credit is equivalent to a ton ofcarbon dioxide equivalent of emissions saved or avoided, which are accounted,verified and certified under international platforms such as Clean DevelopmentMechanism (CDM), Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or even under ISO standard insome cases.

Thus, Offsettingis an established practice or mechanism that helps any entity or individualgoing green. It is a mechanism also to reduce GHG emissions in the mostcost-effective and economically-efficient manner. Offsetting plays a vital rolein combating climate change. Carbon offsetting is a standard and globallyused practice; this offsetting mechanism is used to compensate emissions(generally the emissions which are not easily reducible by adoptingaffordable/viable technology or practices) by funding an equivalent carbondioxide saving elsewhere.

Thus, a carbonoffset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gasesmade in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere.

Globally, Carbon Offsetting or Neutrality is being promotedby many companies, big brands as a part of their responsible or environmental consciousbusiness practices which not only adds value to their business but also createa paveway for a low carbon economy. CDM also has a dedicated platform topromote Carbon Neutrality; whereas VCS standard is well known for their largestpresence of facilitating voluntary offsets.  

Moreover, for many companies, big brands CarbonOffsetting is no longer an one time affair or just the brand positioning; butthey have come up big way to respond, participate and deliver a long termsustainable practice through continuous carbon offsetting scheme imbibed intotheir business. It has also been observed globally that preference for more ‘sustainablecarbon credits’ or ‘sustainable carbon offsets’ has increased in recent timewherein highly sustainable projects such as forestry, community based climateprojects etc. are preferred by the offset consumers. (for more details on “moresustainable carbon credits”, please read through our other blog with the title “SustainableCarbon Credits”).