Voluntary carbon offsets

Carbon offsetting involves calculating a person or entity's greenhouse gas emissions and then purchasing 'credits' from emission reduction projects that have prevented or removed the emission of an equivalent amount of greenhouse gas elsewhere. The voluntary carbon offset market is growing at a rapid rate. However, there is considerable debate over both the merit of carbon offsets themselves, and the different types available. This POSTnote reviews the arguments over the availability of offset programmes, describes the carbon market and highlights some of the defining characteristics of a carbon offset.