What is Carbon compensation?

You are aware of what the Carbon Footprint is, and it’s impact is not just limited to our lives , but also the entire globe. However, did you also have the knowledge that it is possible to purchase Carbon Credit to compensate for the carbon emissions that businesses and individuals emit?

Since it is the primary responsible gas that causes the imbalance in the Greenhouse Effect, we need to address global warming and climate change which are already, making an obvious presence. If we don’t change our relationship to carbon, we’ll face an undetermined future.

In the belief that the quantity of carbon released into the atmosphere is alarming, the concept of carbon credit was conceived in 1997, and was based on the Kyoto Protocol.

The proposed plan was linked in the direction of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Countries must reduce their carbon footprint by 5.2 percent, as compared to the 1990 levels as well as taking part much more in environmental concerns.

The goals of governments and companies need to be developed in order to cut carbon emissions without the requirement to purchase credits. Since the less the purchase is necessary and the less carbon is required, the less carbon is released into the atmosphere.

Learn more about carbon credits along with its benefits and drawbacks in this article.

What causes carbon?

Photosynthesis is the most well-known method of creating carbon. Living beings absorb solar power along with carbon dioxide from atmosphere and transform the CO2 into oxygen. As they breathe and decomposition of living things carbon dioxide is released as well.

Carbon is created by terrestrial, marine, plant, animal and human beings. They produce it through the process of decay and through the use of fossil fuels including coal, oil or natural gas. Furthermore, carbon production takes place each day via destruction of forests, pollution, and fires.

What are the carbon’s issues?

Carbon production began to become an issue due to the high volume of production. The process, that was thought to be normal and healthy, increased with the advent of human activities following the Industrial Revolution. That’s why the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is now very dangerous.

These emissions into the atmosphere alter the dynamics of natural warming that occurs on Earth. Instead of having a perfect greenhouse effect, which is essential to ensure a stable temperature on Earth We have to be aware of overheating as the higher levels of gases that cause this hinders heat from radiating out into space.

The greenhouse gas concentration impacts the entire ecosystem on Earth leading to global warming: overheating causes worldwide climate changes. Our entire lifestyle is intrinsically tied to the seasons, too much or too little rain. Intense heat and extreme cold are the most significant aspects that alter the dynamic of life on Earth.

Therefore, we follow drastic changes like:

melting glaciers;
Droughts and floods;
loss of biodiversity;
volcanoes erupting, etc.

What is Carbon compensation?

There are many initiatives to limit carbon emissions. However, certain emissions are inexplicably inevitable. However, they can be compensated or neutralized by investing are made in the actions that make sure that carbon emissions are balanced. released.

One carbon credit is equivalent to one ton of carbon that has not been released to the air. The value varies and, currently in Brazil it is priced at R$2000. Countries can purchase and sell carbon credits as well as businesses. But, this market should not be seen as the answer to emitting carbon at will. In fact, it is the opposite.

Carbon compensation can be achieved with simple actions in everyday life, like reducing energy expenditure. Living a sustainable life is another way to offset carbon, which means you can:

recycle;
selecting one or two days during the week to avoid eating meat for a couple of days;
rethink the use of the car;
Have a conscious consumption
amongst others.

The modifications made by companies on a regular basis need to be compared to the changes created by individuals.

Companies should consider sustainable infrastructure, maintaining an awareness of the environment and engaging employees in environmental initiatives. Furthermore, they should to think about different types of compensation, like the purchase of carbon credits.

A different option for businesses is to promote planting trees and to create green spaces. It is also possible for people to join this movement to be greener and even support organizations that encourage sustainable actions. Carbon compensation is a fact that should be thought of by everyone to stop environmental degradation for life on Earth.

Read our article What can a carbon footprint be? And why does it affect your life. In it, you will learn more about carbon and its effects on your daily life. It also has information for you to help reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases.

Who is able to neutralize carbon emissions?

Carbon emissions can be neutralized through companies and people.

It is more common for businesses to become involved in this process of neutralizing emission and purchasing carbon credits. Many large multinational companies are involved in this process, such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz and Unilever. For instance, in Brazil, Natura put into practice its Carbon Neutral Program in 2007.

Businesses are becoming aware of the connection between environmental issues and economic success. Thus, as well as investing in sustainable initiatives, they are also creating carbon neutralization targets. The projects are as diverse as they are possible and may be:

Investment in renewable energy sources;
Zero waste
make biodegradable material;
the creation of eco-friendly cars;
create a sustainable production chain;
in addition to.

In addition to the activities and changes that happen in the production cycle of firms, some are also involved in purchasing and sale of carbon credits, which have emerged as a new currency on the financial market. A carbon credit is equal to one ton of carbon that hasn’t lost to the atmosphere.

Countries also participate in this effort to reduce emissions. As in enterprises, their decisions need to be thought out in a way that is sustainable. Furthermore, they may be part of the carbon credit market.

Advantages of Carbon Credit Carbon Credit

As we have mentioned before each carbon credit corresponds 1 ton of carbon that has not been emitted into the atmosphere. So just possessing the right to buy the credits can be an advantage. A company or a country who doesn’t see an alternative to reduce emissions sees a benefit in purchasing this credit.

For some countries, organizations as well as companies, the value is the possibility of selling carbon credits. These are organizations that can cut down on the use of carbon. This way, they improve their economy by giving value to invest in the sustainable activities they develop.

A purchase of carbon credit by companies that are conscious of the environment is favorable for their image. Sometimes the company behaves sustainably however, there is an amount of carbon can’t be stopped from releasing. In this case, the purchase of credit shows how much the company cares about encouraging sustainable activities.

Disadvantages of Carbon Credit

The main disadvantage of the carbon credit is precisely in the exchange market. Certain organizations and countries are able to accept this market , allowing them to continue to emit their greenhouse gasses. They do not invest in initiatives to limit emissions because they are able to purchase unlimited credits. For more details on the carbon credit exchange visit our website.

In this case, the reduction of 1 ton of carbon, that is 1 credit won’t be enough. Because, in fact, the person using this ton will not be using it, so there won’t really be a reduction in emissions. It’s a drawback that is causing a lot of debate among eco-friendly leaders and the world’s top leaders.

The use of carbon credit must be considered in a sustainable manner. Consider it an alternative to meet emergency needs and not to rely on the assumption that it has helped.

All of us must focus on reducing emission of greenhouse gas. Only this way will it be possible to reduce the negative impacts caused by global warming.