Emissions offsetting

State-level agreements regarding emissions reduction are not enough to halt climate change to 1.5°C warming. The private sector is needed to accelerate the reduction of emissions and carbon offsetting in order to achieve this objective. In this new world of responsibility, this is the lifeblood of companies and communities.

Companies can take the initiative and become carbon neutral at a fast pace. Voluntary market-driven carbon emissions offsetting has long made it possible to offset emissions that cannot be avoided after reduction measures. CO₂ neutral company or entity has purchased carbon credits from the voluntary emissions trading market that are equivalent to its own emissions – in other words; the company has offset its carbon emissions by investing in standardised emission-reducing or carbon dioxide-removing projects.

Companies’ focus on climate responsibility is rapidly shifting from offsetting their own emissions to actively removing excess CO₂. This is called the pursuit of net negativity. Companies are investing, for example, in the restoration of natural environments in carbon sinks or in new carbon dioxide removal technologies beyond their own emissions load. Companies have also begun to offset their historical CO₂ emissions. Any company or entity can promote these vital efforts through the voluntary emissions trading market where various projects are available. Ask our experts for more information on carbon emissions offsetting.

Proper CO₂ offsetting requires expert knowledge. There is a wide range of carbon credit projects available, and it is crucial to understand how they differ. Nordic Offset has the amplest experience in this field in Finland, as we have been offering carbon offsetting services since 2008. We always acquire and sell Verified Emissions ReductionsVERs) with the highest quality standards, and consult customers on finding the most suitable projects in the voluntary carbon market. The selection of projects is based on the high expertise of our personnel in the field.

We take care of the offsetting ‘tonne per tonne’: each tonne of CO₂ offsetting purchased by our customers corresponds to a reduction of one tonne of CO₂ or an increase in the permanent carbon sinks. Read more about the voluntary emissions trading market and its principles in the FAQ section.

CO₂e offsetting project types that reduce emissions

• Energy efficiency (in industry, households and communities)
• Small-scale renewable energy
• Forest protection
• Reductions in industrial gases
• Low-emission transport and agriculture
• Waste management

CO₂e offsetting project types that remove CO₂ from the atmosphere

Nature-based solutions:

• Sequestration of carbon dioxide in soil
• Carbon sequestration in wood, i.e. afforestation/reforestation
• Biochar
• Restoration of ecosystems
• The removal of carbon dioxide from biomass

Technical solutions:

• Using technology to remove CO₂ directly from the air
• Carbon capture by mineralisation
• Carbon sequestration in the oceans

See examples of the projects we care about.

• A company’s own reduction measures are always a priority. Offsetting should not replace or postpone one’s own actions.
• When offsetting emissions, a company should always use high-quality emissions reduction units that arereal, additional and permanent. They shall be measured, reported and verified against a valid baseline.
• An emissions reduction project must have an internationally recognised standard that guarantees reliable calculation and other benefits of sustainable development. Key standards include the Gold Standard (GS), Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
• Emissions offsetting funding generates climate projects that would not otherwise arise, for example, out of economic or political considerations. From the point of view of our common climate, it is best that projects are carried out where their impact and cost-effectiveness are most significant.
• The environmental and social impact of offsetting activities must be assessed, and emissions reduction or removal should only be obtained from actions that have been proven to be sustainable. Pay attention to how the other UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been taken into account in the projects.
• The measures used for emissions offsetting should be based on robust calculations that prevent the climate impact from being calculated several times or for the benefit of more than one actor.
• In order for the term ‘CO₂ neutral’ or a similar term to be used in communication or marketing, emissions offsetting must be carried out through additional, certified projects that have been checked for double-counting.
• A company’s voluntary climate actions, such as uncertified tree planting in Finland, are different from valid emissions offsetting. These measures cannot be included as offsetting measures achieving carbon neutrality. The benefits of this type of climate action are given to the country and shall be distinguished from that before being an accepted CO₂ -emissions offsetting method. Such measures do not add to global ambitions on emissions reductions, even if they have good intentions.

Ask for more information and an offer on emissions offsetting.