What is a carbon offset?
Just like it sounds, a carbon offset is a credit generated by a project that reduces, avoids, or sequesters greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that would otherwise have been emitted into the atmosphere.
According to the David Suzuki Foundation, “While voluntary offset programs should not be seen as a substitute for comprehensive government regulations to reduce greenhouse gases (e.g. through implementation of the Kyoto Protocol), they are a step in the right direction, and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership on climate change.”
Carbon offsets are an important part of an organization’s overall climate change strategy, used to practically and affordably account for those GHG emissions that cannot be avoided or immediately reduced.
What gets offset?
What gets offset depends on how an organization defines their boundaries when conducting a GHG inventory, but generally speaking there are three main areas to consider when purchasing offsets:
Travel
For many organizations, air travel is their largest source of GHG emissions. Cool Works can help with offsetting all your travel-related emissions, including air, rental cars, and hotel stays.
Events
Conferences, conventions, and educational seminars all generate a carbon footprint. Cool Works can work with your organization to ensure events account for their GHG emissions.
Facilities & fleets
Organizations may also wish to have their operations (such as offices and administration) offset, as well as any vehicle fleets under their control.
What makes a high-quality offset?
The quality of carbon offsets varies widely, but Cool Works believes it is crucial to only work with high-quality offsets. At their most basic, high-quality offsets must meet the tests for being real, additional, permanent, and verifiable. But Cool Works goes further in believing that high-quality offsets should also strive to provide co-benefits. With proper project design, carbon offsets can represent real investments that not only make an environmental impact; they can help support qualities such as biodiversity, community development, and social justice.