How to buy carbon offsets

Buying carbon offsets is just one strategy in any broader effort to go carbon neutral. Start with eco-friendly lifestyle changes that cut your energy consumption (and greenhouse gas emissions), such as turning off lights, driving a hybrid car, walking or riding a bike to work, and purchasing green products and services.

Granted, in today's world it's virtually impossible to limit all greenhouse emissions to zero, but buying offsets that support carbon-cutting projects (like wind farms, biomass ventures, and initiatives that destroy the potent greenhouse gas methane) can help wipe away your remaining carbon footprint. Here's how:

1. Total up offset opportunities. Remember, the more emissions you cut via your own conservation efforts, the fewer offsets you’ll have to buy. You can start small, say, by purchasing offsets for air travel to France or your son's Bar Mitzvah. Or you may choose to offset all major emissions in your life, including electricity, driving, air conditioning, holidays, and more.
2. Tally your emissions. There are numerous online carbon calculators (most also sell offsets and many are listed below). While some only focus on emissions from a single source, like air travel, others let you calculate emissions from several areas. Note: results may vary from site to site because calculation methodologies differ.
3. Shop for a reputable offset provider. Although some groups have developed offset standards to help consumers locate quality providers or are in the process of doing so, all offset programs are not created equal (see Controversies). One of the most comprehensive and widely endorsed is the Gold Standard, an international consortium of groups, which certifies offset projects that follow strict criteria and are verified by independent third parties. Another is the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS), developed by a group of companies in the emissions trading industry and organizations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Also see the Consumer’s Guide to Retail Carbon Offset Providers for a look at how different providers stack up.
4. Buy what you need. Once you size up your emissions footprint, you can purchase the correct number of offsets. The price (typically $5 to $20 per ton of emissions offset) varies by organization and which green projects they support. It pays to shop around.

Learn more and find carbon offset providers at GreenYour.com