Each individual is producing a carbon footprint, which is contributing to climate change on this planet. Around 40% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions are produced through electricity consumption in the home. Carbon offsetting is way for individuals and companies to “pay back” their carbon emission debt.
It works by paying a company to invest in renewable energy schemes- projects that will reduce carbon emissions by an amount equal to those created by human activity.
Each individual should, of course, aim not to produce the carbon debt in the first place; there is nothing more effective in the fight against climate change than turning off unnecessary lights, making sure you don’t leave your appliances on standby and using less electricity to heat your homes by making sure they are properly insulated. However, for the energy consumption that it is impossible to live without, offsetting is one way of paying back your debt.
The best offsetting programs are those which focus on long-term energy efficiency or switching over to renewable energy sources, and can show you some sort of proof of the work they are doing.
Reforestation (or tree planting) projects, bio-energy or gas capture schemes are common but not as effective as others because they do not invest in the types of infrastructure needed for a low carbon future.
Carbon offset companies are not currently subject to any tailored regulations, but there a number of accreditation bodies. These include:
DEFRA’s Code of Best Practice (launched in June 2008) which gives a Quality Mark to show that a company has met the Government United Nations standards for being a reliable offset scheme.
And, The Gold Standard, which is a type of certification introduced by environmental groups. It identifies offset projects that meet good sustainability standards, deliver benefits to local communities and are based on energy efficiency or renewable energy.
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