What Are Carbon Offsets?

A carbon offset is reducing or removing carbon dioxide emissions or other greenhouse gases made to compensate for emissions produced elsewhere. Offsets are measured in tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e). One ton of carbon offset represents reducing or removing one ton of carbon dioxide or equivalent in other greenhouse gases. The Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Offsetting and the Science Based Targets initiative's Net-Zero Criteria argue the importance of moving beyond offsets based on reduced or avoided emissions to balances based on carbon sequestered from the atmosphere such as CO₂ Removal Certificates (CORCs).