Atmospheric Carbon Offset – What is it? How does it work?

Atmospheric carbon offset is an alternative found to deal with the large volume of greenhouse gas emissions. Through compensation, it is believed that it is possible to reduce and at least balance the negative impacts on the environment. Nature cries out for help, and if we continue to ignore this request, we will have greater and greater problems surviving on the planet.

In addition to thinking about carbon offset, we need to face the fact that it is necessary to change habits to reduce emissions. Climate change is just the tip of the iceberg for what’s to come if we continue to live as we always have. That is why it is so important to rethink the way we are relating to society and nature.

This year, in early May, scientists from the UN World Meteorological Organization warned: we could overheat before 2030. There is a 50% probability of global warming by 1.5 °C by 2026. These data reveal the risks to the well-being of humanity and the environment.

In this post, we invite you to understand more about carbon offset in the atmosphere and how you can be part of this movement. We also talked about the carbon credit and market. Finally, learn about Redda+ and its sustainable projects that are also connected to carbon offset

In this post:

• What is carbon offset in the atmosphere?
• How does compensation work?
• What is the difference between offset and carbon footprint?
• Is carbon credit a form of compensation?
• Get to know Redda+

What is carbon offset in the atmosphere?

Human actions, on a day-by-day basis or via production in factories and companies, emit levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs). These gases, when emitted in large quantities, cause damage to the atmosphere, the environment, and, consequently, to our lives. For example, the high level of GHGs in the atmosphere triggers global warming.

The concept of carbon offset appears as a practical proposal to deal with this amount of GHGs emitted into the atmosphere. It is an invitation for people and companies to look at their emissions and take a stand in relation to them. Therefore, carbon offsetting is an attempt to neutralize and/or reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Environmental compensation is a discussion that has been on the agendas of environmentalists since the 1990s, the year in which the term emerged. And, from the Kyoto Treaty came into force in 2005. Thus, it is expected to reduce the negative impacts caused to the environment.

How does compensation work?

In practice, how does carbon offsetting work in the atmosphere? The proposal is to show people and companies that there are actions that can collaborate to balance and counterbalance these emissions. In some cases, it will not be possible to stop emitting GHGs, so it is necessary to present solutions so that these negative impacts are minimized.

Then, a calculation is offered to try to materialize, even if symbolically, the amount of GHGs emitted into the atmosphere. Through this calculation, it is possible to monetize emissions so that the money is invested in sustainable actions. It is the calculation of the carbon footprint.

The calculation also helps companies and people to visualize how much GHGs they emit over a lifetime. By investing money that symbolizes these emissions in sustainable actions, the company, or person, is offsetting carbon. But it is also possible to compensate through actions such as planting trees, reducing meat consumption, recycling, among others.

In theory, the proposal is quite interesting, but in real life, there are pros and cons of carbon offsetting. The pro is exactly this recognition and identification of the amount of carbon that a person, or company, emits into the atmosphere. The cons include the fear of companies focusing only on the carbon credit market. And, therefore, the focus is removed from the emergency on changes in habits to reduce emissions.

What is the difference between offset and carbon footprint?

The carbon footprint is a methodology, a calculation, created with the purpose of measuring GHG emissions in the atmosphere. Researchers William Rees and Mathis Wakernagel are responsible for creating the carbon footprint calculation. Basically, it considers information related to our daily habits that emit GHGs. That’s all, whether person or company.

Despite the name ‘carbon footprint’, all gases will be calculated using this methodology. The nomenclature serves to facilitate communication, and carbon has become the ‘gas’ equivalent, which represents the other gases.

In the case of environmental compensation, it is about your actions, as a person or company, to try to reduce the impact caused by these emissions. Which were identified by the carbon footprint. Therefore, compensation is more in the area of ​​practical action to balance the amount of polluting gases in the atmosphere.

Calculating the carbon footprint makes it easier to understand how life impacts the environment. With this data in hand, it is possible to think of actions to improve the environmental scenario, through carbon offsetting. Want to know what carbon footprint you or your company is leaving on the planet? So click here and calculate right now.

In our post Carbon Credit – Advantages and Disadvantages you will learn more about this subject.

Is carbon credit a form of compensation?

In this universe of environmental compensation, carbon credits are the currency that materializes the actions of carbon offsets in the atmosphere. After a company undergoes a diagnosis of its carbon footprint, it identifies how much gases it is emitting. And so, you can think about how you will react to that information.

Carbon credits are traded on the carbon market, an environment between companies that buy and sell these credits. These carbon credits are a kind of proof of the amount that the company, or country, has emitted. In this way, it is possible to assess whether there was an increase or decrease in emissions. Some companies and countries set target values ​​to reduce environmental impact.

What happens is that some countries and companies cannot reduce emissions. So they buy carbon credits from others who have managed to decrease. In this market, there are controversies about whether or not it is compensation. It turns out that a company ends up buying the right to emit from another, so it doesn’t necessarily reduce emissions.

One carbon credit is equivalent to one ton of carbon dioxide, or equivalent to other gases. In a way, this market makes sense if, whoever sells the credits, manages to revert the money to actions in favor of the environment, as is the case with Redda+.

Interested in knowing more about it?! Then read our post Carbon Market in Brazil – How does it work? and check out the details of these negotiations.

Find out how Redda+ and you can help preserve the Amazon

Atmospheric carbon offset projects are valued by Redda+ because the organization aims to integrate sustainable actions. For Redda+ there is a concern to implement projects that can articulate the economic, social, and environmental needs of a community. And, all this, valuing the history and culture of the community that is being encouraged by the sustainable growth project.

Redda+ is implementing actions in the Amazon region, for example, in the community of Portel, Pará. And, to add efficient projects, Redda+ is supported by the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the REDD mechanisms. In these actions, carbon offsetting takes place through some activities such as tree planting.

Click here and learn about Redda+’s proposals and projects in the creation of smart sustainable cities. The actions involve medical care, workshops on working with forest materials, and even teaching how to extract fertilizer from waste. It is a means of supporting communities and traditional peoples in recognizing a balanced life with the forest.

And did you know that as a company you can articulate various actions for the environment and society?! These sustainable actions reflect the brand’s value and improve the company’s image for investors. Discover the ESG seal and understand how your company can be more active in defending the well-being of humanity and nature. Read more in our post ESG – What is it? How to frame your company?