How is donating to a GlobalGiving Green project different than purchasing carbon offsets?
GlobalGiving Green projects are different than traditional carbon offset projects in that they have been evaluated for the additional benefits (“co-benefits”) – beyond reduction in greenhouse gases – that accrue to the communities in which they are located. These co-benefits may include economic development and new jobs, education, and improvement in things like air and water quality. And frequently, these co-benefits can not only aid the very people most likely to bear the brunt of climate change the soonest, but can indirectly lead to emission reductions, something not rewarded in the carbon offset world. In the offset world, large projects often make the most financial sense. However, there are literally millions of potential projects that are much smaller in scope that don’t get funded, and these projects may have huge potential for co-benefits, such as education and community development, both of which are important in the fight against climate change. Those types of projects are
