What are carbon offsets?
It’s a voluntary way to offset your carbon emissions (CO2)
produced by various forms of personal energy consumption.
You may purchase carbon offset credits from carbon
offset providers. The carbon offset market is currently
unregulated, unlike the emissions trading market, which has
a strict legal framework; however, a standard is emerging
for the carbon offset market.
What type of projects do carbon offset providers
support?
Carbon offset providers fund and support various types of
projects. They can include reforestation, renewable energy
initiatives (solar, wind, and hydro power), fuel substitution,
energy conservation, and methane capture.
How do I purchase carbon offsets?
There are over 50 carbon offset providers and growing daily
so choosing one can be confusing. Most carbon offset providers
offer their offsets as a single unit of ‘one metric ton of
carbon’ for various prices. Each provider has a list of projects
which they support.
Are carbon offsets tax deductable?
Yes. If they are purchased from a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization, then your carbon offset purchase is 100% tax
deductable but we recommend you check with your accountant.
Also, carbon offset providers which are for profit sometimes
have advantages over non-profits, such as the nature of the
projects which they support and the amount of the their monies
which go directly to carbon offset projects.
Who monitors carbon offset providers?
Each carbon offset provider can be verified by various organizations
and each has its own set of criteria.
Here are some carbon offset verification organizations:
Chicago
Climate Exchange
Environmental
Resources Trust
Climate
Community and Biodiversity Standard
Center
for Resource Solutions
Voluntary
Carbon Standard
Gold
Standard
UNFCCC
CDM
UNFCCC
JI
Plan
Vivo
If you still have questions or would like to post comments
about carbon offsets providers and projects, feel free to
visit Carbon
Offset Forum.
|
