Loading news...

Carbon Offsetting

Carbon offsetting is a mechanism that allows organisations and individuals to invest in projects which mitigate climate change to counter their own unavoidable emissions. 

Carbon offset projects either:

  • Directly reduce emissions through energy efficiency projects, renewable energy programs, reducing emissions from decomposition of plant matter, etc. or 
  • Sequester emissions through capturing carbon emissions and storing them for at least 100 years – re-forestation, re-vegetation, carbon farming, carbon capture and storage from power generation, etc.

The Carbon Reduction Institute will only accept Carbon Credits from projects that directly reduce emissions due to the uncertainty around the permanence of carbon sequestration.  It is for that reason that we do not promote forestry offset projects.  

We also choose projects that provide other environmental, social and health benefits as well as carbon offsetting:

  • Our “Life Straw” offset projects in Africa make clean water easily available and reduces the need for wood fires to boil water.  This reduces gastro-intestinal and respiratory illnesses as well as reducing de-forestation and pollution.  
  • Our “Rice Husk” offset projects in India bring electricity to villages allowing them access to reliable heating, lighting, telecommunications and the internet. This provides them with increased trading opportunities to improve their local economy and improved access to education for their children.
  • Our “Fuel Stove” offset projects in South East Asia reduces de forestation and pollution and has also lowered the risk of injury from land mines and other unexploded ordinance from past conflicts.


Carbon Counter

On our home page you will see our counter of Tonnes of CO2 equivalent that we have certified as offset since our organisation was founded in 2007. This figure is a representative of our savings and not an exact measure. The counter and data are copyright to the Carbon Reduction Institute and must not be referred to or quoted without our written approval.