Carbon Removal Offsets Explained: Capture Emissions and Erase Your Ecological Footprint (Complete Guide)

Georgette Kilgore headshot, wearing 8 Billion Trees shirt with forest in the background.Written by Georgette Kilgore

November 3, 2022

Carbon offsets and carbon removal offsets are a major part of the current climate solution in 2022. They come in many forms, ranging from tree planting carbon offsets to direct removal methods and beyond.

Many people wonder about these tools that fight climate change, but you won’t have to wonder after reading this article. We’ve taken out all of the guesswork.

8 Billion Trees team member hugging a extremely large tree at sequoia national park

Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits Explained–Fighting Climate Change Proactively

In today’s environmentally challenged climate, carbon offsets are growing in recognition as one of the most important weapons to fight emissions. But many people wonder what exactly are these offset programs, and why are they crucial for combating the dire situation facing our planet?

Unraveling Carbon Offsets & How They Work

By definition, carbon offsets are an “action or activity (such as the planting of carbon offsets trees or carbon sequestration) that compensates for the emission of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.”1

In other words, carbon offsets are a method we can use to combat global warming by erasing the carbon footprints we generate every day. Your total footprint includes many greenhouse gasses, but most carbon offsets are geared toward tackling CO2 emissions since they are the chief cause of climate change.

Nearly everything that makes our lives simpler or more convenient can contribute to climate change. Whether that’s driving your vehicle, processing your drinking water, or just charging your phone, all these actions produce carbon emissions. As a species, humans are consuming resources at a rate never seen before, which is exactly why reducing your carbon footprint has never been more important. Fortunately, many individuals and companies are working to combat the problem, hoping it may not be too little, too late

Why Carbon Offsets Are Needed

The population of the planet in 2021 is about 7.8 billion people and rising. The most developed nations produce (in general) the most excess carbon, which is why GHG emission reduction (greenhouse gas emission reduction) is paramount.

Carbon Offset Defined:

Carbon offsets reduce carbon footprints through investment or activity that sequesters (stores) carbon or reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Basically, using a specific program, the offset “equals” the amount of carbon emissions you generate. For example, forestry offsets plant native species of trees to replace areas that have been destroyed. The trees act as a carbon sink and sequester the CO2 made by flying, or driving, or electricity.

A graphic image with a lot of tiny semi trucks to convey that “each second, trees remove 200 tons of carbon dioxide from the environment. That is about 195 million semi trucks working at full capacity every second.”, followed by an image of a stopwatch that says ”by the time you read this trees have already removed more than 1000 tons of emissions”

Price of Carbon Offsets:

The cost of a carbon offset varies widely each year, as the market fluctuates. Likewise, the type of program impacts the cost of the offset and so does the ‘amount’ of carbon emissions you want to erase. Carbon prices averaged (EUR) 11.40 a ton in 2008, but 90 percent of providers now set their own prices.

Examples of Carbon Offsets

Although there are countless small ways you can personally reduce emissions, the scope of this article will discuss scalable carbon offsets. The best carbon offset programs are not only for individuals, they’re perfect for business carbon offsetting, too!

Note: the first step before you buy carbon offsets is using a carbon footprint calculator to find your precise emissions.

Carbon Offset Tree Planting Projects

While one tree a day falls short of what’s needed, the catchy motto “Planting a tree a day helps keep emissions at bay” certainly encourages action that can do a whole lot of good. Every little bit counts. Even one tree. In fact, maybe it’s time to return to ancient wisdom: An ancient proverb says, “the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second-best time is now.”

Three steps to reduce carbon emissions: Step 1. Company meets or is close to it’s emissions cap. Step 2. Company invests in a project designed to reduce carbon emissions which provides carbon offsets. Offset programs include renewable energy investments, reforestation programs, capturing gasses, etc. Step 3. Company receives the carbon offset credits.

Planting trees is foundational to carbon offsetting. Here are just a few terms that describe different strategies to offset carbon pollution with trees:

  • Afforestation: Afforestation is planting trees in a spot that previously didn’t have them in order to fight environmental challenges.
  • Reforestation: Reforestation is planting trees where forests have been clear cut or deforested, trying to bring back or revitalize a habitat that humans decimated.
  • Avoided Deforestation: Avoided deforestation is giving incentives to landowners to keep forests intact when they could otherwise clear land for agriculture and other profit.

8 Billion Trees specializes in all of these strategies, and also works to rehabilitate wildlife and provide sanctuaries for these displaced species.

Tree Planting Carbon Offsets Using Reforestation Are 40x More Effective Than Afforestation Projects

Recent research has shown that the most effective carbon offset tree planting strategies involve reforestation that focuses on rebuilding diverse ecosystems.

Here’s what we mean. Studies show that old growth forests remove more carbon from the atmosphere than tree ‘farms,’ and plantations, that are simply the same species of tree planted in rows. But many of these forests, especially in the Amazon rainforest, have suffered from a vicious cycle of deforestation (mass clearing and burning), which released high levels of carbon emissions, which then contributed to changes in weather patterns, which then made wildfires and droughts possible… which then releases more carbon emissions, and so on, and so on.

In order to stop the cycle, these forests must be restored and rebuilt.

But, rebuilding an entire ecosystem requires lots of preparation and planning. Seeds from foundational native species must be hand collected and strategically planted to support the natural new growth required to reestablish the biome.

Although this strategy is more time consuming, it offers the best carbon removal offset plan available, because it restores the planet’s natural (and highly effective) carbon removal process.

Renewable Energy: Think Smarter Not Harder

Investments in renewable energy technologies provide critical CO2 offsets for modern lives. Use the following information as an offset guide to some of the valuable environmental projects/programs happening today.

Hydropower

Hydropower harnesses the energy of water in motion and turns it into energy/electricity, known as hydroelectric power. The predominant source of this kind of energy production today is through hydroelectric power plants that use a powerplant, a dam, and a reservoir.2  Until 2019, hydropower was the largest source of renewable energy production in the United States.3

For more reading on hydropower, the Department of Energy offers Hydropower Basics, and How Hydropower Works. One great example of a massive hydroelectric power system is the Tennessee Valley Authority, which uses a series of dams to generate electricity for a large part of the Southeastern United States.

Solar Power

Solar power uses the natural energy of the sun to power daily living. Some solar technologies convert light into electricity and some convert heat into electricity, and some convert both! In 2019, solar power counted for about 2% of renewable energy production in the United States.3

For more reading on solar power:

  • Department of Energy: How does Solar Work?4
  • The National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Solar Power Basics5
  • The Climate Reality Project: How does Solar Power Work, Anyway?6

Tidal Power

Gravity and the pull of celestial bodies create the tides and waves, the source of tidal power. Tidal power is a form of hydropower, but today there are only prototypes for how to utilize this power source in the United States and few commercial projects, globally.

For more reading on tidal power:

  • Department of Energy: Hydropower Explained—Tidal Power Explained3
  • National Geographic: Tidal Energy7
  • Forbes: Tidal Energy—All Renewables Are Not Created Equal8

Wind Power

Wind power uses the forces of the sky to make electricity. According to the Department of energy, the wind is actually a form of solar power. It comes from the interplay of the earth’s surface, the temperature differences in the atmosphere,­ and the way the world turns. The turbines generate electricity through movement. In 2019, wind turbines accounted for 7.3% of the U.S.’s utility-scale energy production.9

Biomass Power

Biomass is organic matter, both flora and fauna material, but when used, can be harnessed for energy. That wood you burn in campfires is a very simple example of biomass energy conversion (but this also releases CO2, but using waste products such as manure, yard and agricultural clippings are also part of the equation.10

There are many processes that can convert this natural fuel to energy on an industrial and commercial scale. In 2019, biomass was responsible for approximately 5% of the United States’ total primary energy usage.

For more reading on biomass power:

  • Department of Energy: Biomass Explained10
  • The National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Biomass Basics
  • Columbia University Earth Institute: Is Biomass Really Renewable?

Geothermal Power

Geothermal is exactly what it sounds like. Geo comes from Greek, meaning earth, and thermal, meaning heat. Geothermal uses heat from the earth: Steam drives turbines for power generators. In 2019, geothermal power plants generated .04% of the United States’ utility-scale electricity.11

For more reading on geothermal power:

  • Department of Energy: Geothermal Explained—Geothermal Power Plants11
  • Department of Energy: How a Geothermal Plant Works (Simple)12
  • The National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Geothermal Production Basics13

Methane Capture: A Method That Doesn’t Stink

Carbon offsets come in many forms. In fact, some are quite inventive. Methane capture takes a very harmful greenhouse gas and converts it into energy. Methane is the most dangerous greenhouse gas, so innovations that convert this into a usable resource benefit both the planet, and the people and animals who live on Earth.

Landfill Gas

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute says that “Typically, one million tons of landfill waste emit approximately 432,000 cubic feet of LFG per day, enough to produce either 0.78 MW of electricity or 216 MMBtu of heat.” Wouldn’t it be great if we could capture all that and use it to power our lives?

Landfill gas utilization projects are designed to do just that by capturing, processing, and turning GHGs into useful energy. In 2018, municipal solid waste landfills accounted for 15% of methane emissions in the United States.

For more reading on landfill gas:

  • EPA: Basic Information on Landfill Gas14
  • EPA: Benefits of Landfill Gas Energy Projects
  • Department of Energy: Biomass explained—Landfill gas and biogas

Agricultural Methane

Livestock manure is one of the largest sources of methane in our atmosphere and methane is one of the primary gases responsible for climate change. But methane can be captured and used for energy, and some farmers are finding that it could be a potential new income for them, as well. In 2018, manure management accounted for 10% of methane emissions in the United States.

For more reading on agriculture methane:

  • Journal of Environmental Management: Methane Capture from Livestock Manure15
  • Financial Times: Methane from Manure Offers Green Fuel Revenue for Farmers
  • Washington Post: Turning Manure into Money16

Mine Methane

Coal usage is on the rise and the methane produced in the mining process is a large contributor to greenhouse gases. The benefits of offsetting your carbon footprint through mine methane offsets not only serve to reduce greenhouse gases, but also can improve mine safety and productivity. As with agricultural methane offsets, mine methane offsets provides additional revenue streams for mining. In 2018, coal mining was responsible for 8% of methane emissions in the United States.

For more reading on coal bed/mine methane:

  • EPA: Mitigating Coal Mine Methane Emissions17
  • EPA: Capture and Utilization of Methane from Mines to Ensure the Safety, Consumption and Reducing of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • United Nations Economic Commission for Europe: About Coal Mine Methane

Now That You Know All About Carbon Offsets, How Do Your Emissions Compare?

Depending on your lifestyle, you may need to offset more or fewer activities than others. It’s easy to find out! Take the next step by measuring your emissions with an ecological footprint calculator here. These online tools provide a quick way to illuminate the areas in your daily life that are contributing to the most emissions, so you can make immediately changes that will help reduce them. Simple things like air drying one load of laundry a week can have a big impact.

Stop The Devastation – Reduce Your Carbon Footprint With Ease

We know tree planting for carbon offsetting every little thing or using another offset strategy to erase emissions can seem daunting, but remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The GOOD NEWS is we’ve made it easy to become carbon neutral and we can work towards becoming carbon negative together!


References

1Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. 16 April 2021. Web. April 2021. <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20offset>

2National Geographic Society. Hydropower, Explained. 13 May 2019. Web. April 2021. <https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/hydropower>

3U.S. Energy Information Administration. Hydropower explained. Washington D.C. , 8 April 2021. Web. 16 April 2021. <https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/hydropower/#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20hydroelectricity%20accounted%20for,utility%2Dscale%20renewable%20electricity%20generation>

4United States Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. How Does Solar Work. Washington, D.C., 2021. Web. 16 April 2021. <https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/how-does-solar-work#:~:text=Photovoltaics%20Basics&text=When%20the%20sun%20shines%20onto,cell%2C%20causing%20electricity%20to%20flow>

5National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Solar Energy Basics. Prod. U.S. Department of Energy. 2021. Web. 16 April 2021. <https://www.nrel.gov/research/re-solar.html>

6Climate Reality Project. How Does Solar Power Work, Anyway? Washington, D.C., 4 April 2018. Web. 16 April 2021. <https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/how-does-solar-power-work-anyway>

7Tidal Energy. 2021. Web. 16 April 2016. <https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/tidal-energy/>

8Conca, James. “Tidal Energy — All Renewables Are Not Created Equal.” Forbes. 27 July 2017. Web. 16 April 2021. <https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2017/07/27/tidal-energy-all-renewables-are-not-created-equal/?sh=75bac16b4f4e>

9Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. How Do Wind Turbines Work? 04 April 2021. Web. April 2021. <https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work>

10U.S. Energy and Information Administration. Biomass Explained. Vol. 2021. April. Web. 16 April 2021. <https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/>

11U.S. Energy and Information Administration. Geothermal Explained:Use of Geothermal Energy. Vol. 2021. March. Web. 16 April 2021. <https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/geothermal/use-of-geothermal-energy.php#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20there%20were%20geothermal,U.S.%20utility%2Dscale%20electricity%20generation.&text=In%202018%2C%2027%20countries%2C%20including,of%20electricity%20from%20geothermal%20energy.>

12Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. How a Geothermal Power Plant Works (Simple). 04 April 2021. Web. April 2021. <https://www.energy.gov/eere/geothermal/how-geothermal-power-plant-works-simple>

13National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Geothermal Electricity Production Basics. Prod. U.S. Department of Energy. 2021. Web. 16 April 2021. <https://www.nrel.gov/research/re-geo-elec-production.html>

14United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Basic Information about Landfill Gas.” Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP). 16 April 2021. 2021. <https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas>

15Tauseef, S.M., et al. “Methane Capture From Livestock Manure.” Journal of Environmental Management 117 (2013): 187-207. Web. 16 April 2021. <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479712006603>

16Washington Post. “Turning Manure Into Money.” 16 July 2020. Web. 2021. <https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2020/06/16/climate-solutions-manure/?arc404=true>

17United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Mitigating CCM Emissions” Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP). 16 April 2021. 2021. <https://www.epa.gov/cmop/mitigating-cmm-emissions>