One way that can be done to reduce the number of carbon emission is by doing carbon offsetting. This method is a complementary step of the various efforts used to green the earth.

Carbon offsetting is mostly done by a number of companies to balance the amount of carbon produced. This method of carbon offsetting is considered effective for reducing carbon emissions from companies and individuals.

Then, how does carbon offsetting work? Check out the carbon off setting information below to find out the answer. You will get information about carbon off setting and effort in limiting the amount of carbon emissions .

Understanding Carbon Offsetting

Carbon offsetting is an act of compensating carbon produced by individuals or companies. However, currently, the majority of those who take carbon offsetting actions are only companies.

Carbon off setting requires individuals or companies to provide a number of fees to other parties, both individuals, companies and organizations or institutions to take a number of actions to reduce carbon emissions, such as reforestation in order to achieve carbon balance.

The purpose of the carbon off setting for the company is to offset the amount of carbon that the company produces with the amount of carbon that has been reduced.

Because it has a large forest area, developing countries are often used as sites for this carbon off setting project.

How Carbon Offsetting Works

Carbon offsetting carried out by a party is measured in units equivalent to carbon dioxide. One tonne of carbon off setting equals one tonne of carbon dioxide produced. If the carbon emissions produced by a party amount to two tons, the carbon off setting issued must be equal to two tons of carbon emissions.

However, the carbon off setting produced must be the same as the carbon removed. However, the company is advised to produce a higher carbon off setting than the carbon released so that the zero carbon vision can be achieved more quickly.

Not only carbon dioxide, carbon off setting is also used to neutralize gas emissions that cause the greenhouse effect. For example, nitrous oxide, methane, sulfur hexa fluoride, perfluorocarbons, and hydrofluorocarbons.

Carbon Offsetting Project

There are several carbon off setting projects that can be carried out by companies and individuals, including:

1. Collecting and Burning Methane

One of the gases that causes the greenhouse effect is methane. Therefore, methane becomes the object of the carbon off setting. By collecting and burning methane into a project that is used in the carbon off setting.

Methane itself is known to have a global warming potential of 23 times that of carbon dioxide. Burning methane emits carbon dioxide, which can reduce the greenhouse effect and global warming by up to 96%.

2. Renewable Energy

One of the projects in the carbon off setting chosen by several companies is renewable energy. This project is actually quite commonly used by companies today.

Renewable energy includes energy from sunlight, wind, biomass and water. The aim of this carbon offsetting project is to reduce costs resulting from the use of conventional energy such as fossil fuels.

The project also seeks to increase commercial viability so that people become more interested and choose to use this renewable energy source.

An example is a diesel fuel supplier company in the UK doing carbon offsetting by making fuel made from renewable energy sources.

3. Reforestation

Reforestation is one of the carbon off setting projects that are also chosen by many companies. This project includes the use of vacant land to plant trees. Because it is known that plants have a very good carbon absorption.

Reforestation is one of the steps in reforestation. Reforestation is the activity of replanting trees in deforested forests.

Not only reforestation, there is also afforestation which is the activity of planting trees on vacant land other than in the forest. Usually this afforestation activity is carried out in residential areas.

4. Energy Efficiency

Not only providing support for renewable energy sources, energy efficiency is also needed in carbon offsetting projects. The goal of energy efficiency for a carbon off setting project is to reduce the amount of carbon emitted.

There are several ways in this energy efficiency project, one of which is the construction of a cogeneration power plant, this concept is considered to be able to increase the efficiency of some of the energy expended. The heat released from this cogeneration plant can be used for various purposes.

Efficiency projects can be done by replacing the combustion engine with a newer device. The new combustion engine is expected to require less fuel and produce fewer emissions than the old engine.

5. Agriculture

Not infrequently sectors sustainable agriculture as a carbon off setting project. Similar to trees, plants used in agriculture also contribute to carbon sequestration. There are several agricultural commodities that have high levels of carbon sequestration capabilities, such as corn, rice and wheat.

Carbon off setting is not the only way to solve the carbon problem on earth, because other important efforts are needed to support it. Starting from reducing the use of fossil fuels, using environmentally friendly products or goods, reforestation, and other environmental care activities, there are several ways that we can do to save the earth.

The obligation to reduce carbon is a shared responsibility. Because, almost all aspects of human life produce a carbon footprint that can increase the number of carbon pollution in the atmosphere. It is not impossible that someday the amount of carbon will shrink and carbon emission will disappear by itself.