Why do different offset programs charge different amounts for a ton of carbon dioxide?
The amount charged by an offset program may differ for various reasons such as how the carbon benefits are quantified. When comparing the Conservancy’s offset costs to those of other offset programs, it is important to take into account the standards of both programs and how that will affect costs. The offsets the Conservancy is offering include the various protections described in this document to ensure that the full amount of carbon dioxide offsets that are being set aside for you will be realized. The Conservancy has taken pains to ensure that our offsets meet very exacting quality standards. As part of this assurance, we are withholding a substantial portion of the offsets in order to account for deductions for leakage estimates and permanence reserves. In the case of the Tensas River Basin Project, this withholding amounts to 40 percent. We have figured the cost of this reserve into the amount of the contribution per offset we are seeking. The Nature Conservancy has set its contr
