Group 10 -Carbon offsetting

In modern times almost every work done in life leaves a considerable carbon footprint. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions carbon footprint can be reduced. But complete reduction of carbon emission cannot be done. This is because there are many direct and indirect ways carbon emits in daily life. For example when buying any food from market carbon footprint is left by various activities which were done to bring the food such as harvesting machines and transportation means.

To reduce carbon footprint of these emissions that cannot be reduced, carbon offsetting is used. Carbon offsetting is reducing greenhouse gas emissions to compensate to carbon emissions made elsewhere.

There are many methods used for carbon offsetting;

·         Methane combustion.

§  Methane has a considerably higher Global Warming Potential (GWP) (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, n.d.). Therefore by combustion methane is converted to Carbon dioxide and water which has low GWP.

·         Land use policies

§  Reducing deforestation – saving currently forested areas.

§  Reforestation – replenishing former forest areas.

§  Afforestation – making new forest from used land.

·         Using clean energy

§  Using renewable energy sources.

§  Using energy efficient components.

When total of carbon emission and compensated carbon amount is considered, net carbon footprint can be amounted to zero. When this happens it is called carbon neutrality.