What is Carbon Offsetting?

Carbon offsetting is a globally recognized way to take responsibility for unavoidable carbon emissions. In simple terms, offsetting one tonne of carbon means there will be one less tonne of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than there would otherwise have been.  It is the fastest way to achieve emissions reductions and the only way to achieve carbon neutrality.

Climate change is increasingly on the agenda around the world. As awareness increases,  your customers, investors and staff are looking to your business to act responsibly.  It is impossible to operate a business without any carbon footprint. This means that after reducing what they can, businesses need to offset remaining, unavoidable emissions.

There are many activities that generate carbon offsets. Renewable energy projects , like a wind farm or solar installation can create carbon offsets by displacing fossil fuels. Other types of offsets include tree planting initiatives and energy-efficiency projects that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The goal of carbon offsetting is to match the exact carbon damage done in one place with carbon repair elsewhere. This means you need to contribute a tonne of benefit for a tonne of harm.  Most companies outsource the repair part of the equation by making a payment to another company who will finance beneficial environmental work on their behalf. These carbon offset companies allow others to invest in environmental projects around the world in order to balance out their own carbon footprints. Carbon offsetting can help the world to tackle global warming by funding environmental projects that would not have happened otherwise. Good offsets are a win for everyone. An example is a wind energy project that would not otherwise have been financially viable. By investing in it, you’re adding to the overall supply of renewable energy which reduces the future consumption of fossil fuels. This helps shift the world onto a greener path.

Onyx Energy is committed to empowering those around us to be able to effectively contribute to conservation and make a meaningful impact.  Onyx Energy has partnered with Carbonzero, the industry leader in terms of carbon offsetting. Our partnership with Carbonzero assists us in our tree-planting initiatives. We challenge ourselves and all businesses to be conservation conscious.