On this page you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about CO₂ offsetting and the work of FairClimateFund. Click on one of the questions below to see the answer.
Carbon offsetting
1What is carbon offsetting?
With carbon offsetting you ensure that, in exchange for the CO₂ emissions that you cause, less CO₂ is emitted elsewhere or CO₂ is removed from the air. Herewith, you compensate your CO₂ emissions. There are various ways to offset your CO₂ emissions, such as planting trees or investing in projects that focus on sustainable energy.
2What is a carbon credit?
A carbon credit is a tradable unit that enables organizations and individuals to offset their CO₂ emissions by reducing CO₂ emissions elsewhere. Each carbon credit represents the reduction of one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) from the atmosphere - roughly the monthly energy consumption of an average Dutch household. After you have reduced your CO₂ emissions, you can compensate your unavoidable CO₂ emissions by buying carbon credits and you become carbon neutral.
3Why would I become carbon neutral?
By becoming carbon neutral, you contribute to the climate and help limit the temperature rise on earth. You first reduce your CO₂ emissions and compensate unavoidable CO₂ emissions. In addition, you not only reduce CO₂ emissions in the world, but in some projects you also contribute to better living conditions for people in developing countries who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
4What about other greenhouse gases?
In the calculations of the number of tons of CO₂, we always use CO₂e. CO₂e is an abbreviation for "carbon dioxide equivalents". It is a way to compare the emissions of various greenhouse gases based on their ‘global warming potential' or GWP. CO₂e compares how much CO₂e would be required for the same contribution to global warming as the relevant greenhouse gas over a period of 100 years, and thus represents the contribution to global warming for that greenhouse gas. For example, methane is about 23 times more harmful for the environment than CO₂. By using CO₂e values in the calculation FairClimateFund takes other greenhouse gases into account.
5What is the difference between energy neutral, carbon neutral and climate neutral?
Climate neutral, energy neutral or carbon neutral are terms that are widely used, but what is the difference? For example, energy neutral means that all energy used is generated sustainably. Carbon neutral indicates that no CO₂ is released during a process or product and therefore has no negative effect on climate change. The term climate neutral is usually used to indicate that no greenhouse gases are emitted during a process at all. FairClimateFund prefers not to use the term climate-neutral, just like many experts, because many more processes and substances affect our climate and the climate is not manageable.