CARBON OFFSET

A carbon offset is a financial instrument representing a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (Wikipedia). Although there are six primary categories of greenhouse gases, carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e). One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases.

There are two primary markets for carbon offsets. In the larger compliance market, companies, governments or other entities buy carbon offsets in order to comply with caps on the total amount of carbon dioxide they are allowed to emit. In 2006, about $5.5 billion of carbon offsets were purchased in the compliance market, representing about 1.6 billion metric tons of CO2e reductions.

In the much smaller voluntary market, individuals, companies, or governments purchase carbon offsets to mitigate their own greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity use, and other sources. For example, an individual might purchase carbon offsets to compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions caused by personal air travel. In 2006, about $91 million of carbon offsets were purchased in the voluntary market, representing about 24 million metric tons of CO2e reductions.

CARBON AUDIT

A carbon audit regime is a means of accounting for quantifiable greenhouse gas control efforts (Wikipedia). It establishes that the claimed reductions in emissions or enhancements of carbon sinks, has actually occurred and is stable.

CARBON AUDITORS

Deloitte

NGO's

Carbon Trust (UK)

CO2MMERCE.COM/NET/ORG aim to be portals to CO2 auditors