How does offsetting work?
Greenhouse gases are emitted when fossil-fuelled energy is consumed. One tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) has the same impact on climate change wherever in the world it is emitted — or saved. You can use less energy, travel less and use public transport, but sometimes emissions are hard to avoid. You can offset the greenhouse gas impact of these emissions by reducing somewhere else. You can plant trees, which absorb CO2 out of the air, or you can help someone else to emit less. Small communities that need to develop are often short of cash. Development options which are sustainable and which have less impact on the environment usually cost more money up front. It costs more for better insulation, for renewable energy generation, for energy efficiency measures. Farmers need money to put food on the table while they change agricultural practices. Even though sustainable development options are better for everyone in the long term, in the short term there is simply not enough m
