What is carbon compensation or carbon offsetting?
The compensation consists in measuring the emissions of greenhouse gases generated by human activities (transport, heating, computing, etc.), and then, after having tried to reduce these emissions, to support a project reducing green house gases emissions or sequestrating carbon: renewable energy, energy efficiency or reforestation, which will be able to reduce, in another place, the same volume of greenhouse gases. The underlying principle is that a given amount of CO2 emitted in one place can be “offset” or “compensated” by reducing or sequestering an equivalent amount of CO2 in another place. This principle of “geographical neutrality” is central to the mechanisms established by the Kyoto Protocol. It is important to note that the compensation must be made in a carbon neutral logic. It always follows the implementation of alternative energy solutions and efforts to reduce green house gases emissions.
