When it comes to understanding carbon credits There are four key questions we could ask ourselves:
What is the process behind Carbon Credits work?
What’s the main difference between a carbon credit and a carbon offset?
What are the pros and cons of investing in carbon credits?
How do you make an investment on carbon credits?
But before we go into the complete answers to these five queries, first things first – what are carbon credits?
Carbon credits are a form of currency that can be purchased by a person or a firm to offset any activity that elicited an excessive amount of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere . This includes manufacturing instrudrials or transportation by vehicle or air.
It’s easiest to think of it this way – remember when the air was the clearest during the peak of the pandemic due to a lack of travel by air?
Imagine you’re flying from New York City to Paris for the first time in two years. You’re thrilled to fly again!
But , once you’ve changed your lifestyle to fit our newfound work-from-home culture, you’ve been made aware just the harm that air travel causes on the earth. You don’t even use your vehicle anymore, which means you’re suddenly aware of the massive environmental damage you’re likely to cause in a brief period of time.
You feel guilty, and maybe even accept some responsibility However, you’re determined to fly across the ocean regardless of the carbon footprint you’ve realized you’re contributing to.
So, what do you do? You decide to purchase carbon credits.
Go to the airline’s website and choose to pay for your personal part in the carbon emissions your contribution was to the flight. The fee you pay then is directly deposited into a project or business that is striving to reduce carbon emissions.
This way, you’re still in a position to go on your journey but, while it’s not going to entirely erase the carbon footprint that you’ve created, you’ve already contributed to something or someone else who is committed to reducing carbon emissions.
How do carbon credits function?
Since carbon credits can be purchased in quantities that are quantifiable, companies committed to climate-change reduction projects must adhere to certain regulations to ensure the carbon credits purchased are put to good use.
Learn more at carbon.credit.
For instance, the companies should be focused on either reducing, eliminating or reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (otherwise known under the name GHG) emissions. Every project which is driven by reducing carbon footprints – for example, safeguarding ecosystems, creating forests or encouraging others to less rely on fossil fuels – would be considered an acceptable usage of a carbon credit.
It’s like giving away or recycling old things that you don’t need, wear, or use or use.
Imagine you purchased the shirt many years back, and it’s not trendy anymore or you have torn it all over the place. You aren’t going to wear it anymore, but it could remain a fine piece of clothing for another person. By donating your old t-shirt however, it won’t stop you from out and buying the new one. However, it stops someone else from spending money on a brand new t-shirt.
How is a carbon credit different from offsets for carbon?
As we’ve explained carbon credits are a tradable request that is a specific amount of carbon dioxide that is removed from our atmosphere, in return for carbon footprints that have already taken place.
A carbon offset occurs when the company that is responsible for generating a large carbon footprint decides to invest in a venture that aims to reduce carbon emissions, instead of reducing their own contribution to global warming themselves.
Take a look back at the times the time you went to school, and you and your parents were expected to be involved in the celebrations or extracurricular activities being held. Many parents would give their time and energy to help in the preparations for the event by selling tickets or setting up flyers – they would directly contribute to the planning of the celebration or celebration.
The planning of events such as prom or graduation trips requires time and careful evaluation – and no matter how much some parents wish to, not everyone can give their best effort.
Some parents, similar to large corporations , simply don’t have the time to arranging an event this large, but they might be able to with the cost of the event.
So, they might choose to make donations in cash instead in order to help financially fund the event instead. In this way, they were still able contribute to the cause, and not have spend their own money of time.
A carbon offset can be purchased ahead of time in order to offset the planned use of carbon emissions however, a carbon credit can only be obtained in exchange for the carbon footprint that has already been created – and acts as an authorization to emit carbon that has already been created.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of investing in carbon credits?
Carbon credits’ advantages are that they can be used to provide the funding of an organization or project which is dedicated to reducing their carbon footprint.
In addition to this carbon credits can also provide the business that produces a high amount of carbon emissions with greater flexibility to their project. Instead of carefully monitoring the carbon footprint of their business, they could purchase carbon credits to soothe their consciences – and this requires less work than altering the way they produce.
However, the negative impact that carbon credits have on the environment is evident carbon credits cannot eliminate or reduce the carbon footprint that’s already made. The individuals or businesses are still generating carbon emissions their investment in a plan or an organization that is dedicated to reducing carbon footprint won’t eliminate the carbon footprint they’ve already made.
The ongoing and growing threat of climate change requires many strategies and solutions.
Carbon credits are certainly more effective than nothing at all but they shouldn’t be viewed as the sole strategy to decrease one’s carbon footprint.
How do you invest into carbon credits?
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, some enterprises – such as airlines – are making it relatively easy to do in the event that it pertains to your recent travels.
There are however some other methods you can invest in carbon credits : such as through stock investments or exchange traded funds, or even a controlled auction system – like that of the European Union Emissions Trading System.
Whichever way you decide to buy a carbon credit, it will ultimately be used the same.
Carbon credits aren’t the most effective method to limit carbon footprints or the effects of human activities that contribute to global warming. Beyond purchasing carbon credits what other options do you have for you or your company could help prevent global warming?
Here are five tips to help you cut your carbon emissions!
1. Switch off the lights and disconnect chargers and devices when you’re not using them.
We all have the habit of leaving our laptops charging in the outlet, or leaving the lights in the kitchen turned on even when we’re not there. It’s only a matter of minutes to go through the space prior to leaving the house to make sure that any devices, lights, or chargers are turned off.
Additionally, the use of less electricity isn’t just environmentally friendly It can also help to lower your electric bill as well!
2. Purchase a water bottle that is reusable
We’re all in the habit of buying a new plastic water bottle each day, but the reality is that there’s no need for this any more.
Numerous cities across the globe have constructed public water fountains that are easily accessible.
Why would you spend your money for a brand new plastic water bottle that’s likely to be thrown away instead of buying one of these water bottles – reusable and then fill it up free of charge?
3. Get more plant-based food!
The plant-based food scene has been growing rapidly over the last few years, mostly due to its obvious health benefits . But have you realized that it’s better for the planet, too?
The animal part of the food business contributes to over 65 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions on the planet that are human produced. If more people were vegan, or even went for “Meatless Mondays” – less of this negative production would occur, and the environment would be benefited greatly.
A majority of the vacant space has been used to raise cattle, not for crop cultivation or building homes, and it is estimated that the quantity of water that takes to feed a vegan is 3 times less than the amount it takes to create food for an all-vegetarian.
It’s been proven that reducing your consumption of beef will directly decrease the consumption of water.
So, next time you’re on your lunch break, you should opt for that latte made of oats and the quinoa salad. You’ll not only be eating healthier as well, but you’ll reduce your carbon footprint as well.
4. Take public transport
If you reside in a big city make the most of it! There’s no need to sit in traffic for long lengths of time or pay a never-ending amount on gasoline.
Choose to take the subway, metro or bus every week. If you’re blessed with the ability to walk or cycle to work or school, What’s stopping you?
You’ll be more active, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint.
5. Go thrift shopping!
The trend of thrift shopping has increased in popularity over the last few years However, did you realize that it’s beneficial for the environment as well?
If people continue to purchase recycled clothing from each other then the demand for brand new garments will fall as well as the need to produce, which has direct impact on the environment, will not be as significant.
It’s less expensive than purchasing an item that’s never worn and can cause big companies to decrease their clothing production.