To put it simply, carbon emissions are the gases released into the air when we use energy sources like fossil fuels. These gases can cause the Earth to get warmer, which is a key driver for climate change.

A carbon credit is a unit of measurement used when carbon offsetting. It represents the avoidance or removal of one metric ton of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. 

Once a climate project is developed, monitored, verified and certified as a legitimate carbon offset project by a recognised standard such as the Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), carbon credits can be issued and sold. The price of carbon credits can vary depending on factors such as the project type and market demand. The revenue generated from the sale of carbon credits is used to finance and support these projects. It helps cover the costs of implementing and maintaining them. The funds go towards project development, operational expenses, or community initiatives associated with the project. 

The purchase of carbon credits is a financial incentive for the continuation and expansion of these projects, allowing them to make a tangible and measurable impact on the environment.

All CarbonClick credits have been permanently retired and cannot be reused, ensuring a real, positive impact on the climate today.

Carbon offsetting is a form of climate action that is used to compensate or ‘give back’ for emissions that can’t yet be avoided. This is done by making a positive impact on the environment somewhere else, by investing in climate projects that remove carbon from the atmosphere or avoid emissions.

First, the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted by a business, individual or activity is calculated. The result of this is called a carbon footprint. Once you know your footprint, you can purchase the equivalent amount of carbon credits. These credits represent avoidance or removal of greenhouse gases equal to your footprint.

The money from buying credits goes to projects that help tackle the climate crisis. These projects can be renewable energy initiatives, forest conservation, reforestation and others.

We put a great level of care into selecting the climate projects we source carbon credits from. In addition to selecting projects that are verified by a recognised registry, such as Gold Standard, CarbonClick applies our 7-Point Impact Check to ensure the project makes a meaningful difference to the planet and people. 

Learn more here.

In addition to selecting projects that are verified by a recognised registry, such as Gold Standard, CarbonClick reviews 7 criteria to ensure the project makes a real impact. 

1. Additionality: This is the most defining criterion. Simply put, it means the emission reduction can only happen due to the project being implemented in the first place. And without carbon finance, it would not have happened.
2. Accuracy (over-crediting): The project’s emission removal or avoidance is accurately measured.
3. Permanence: The projects store or remove carbon for a long period of time.
4. Perverse incentives: The project or the income from selling the carbon credits issued by the project does not create a perverse incentive that leads to actions that could worsen the climate crisis (such as incentivising land owners to excessively harvest an existing forest if there is potential for its regeneration to qualify for the sale of carbon credits).
5. Double counting: Ensuring project credits are only issued and counted once.
6. Positive community impact: The project has additional co-benefits to improve social, economic and environmental outcomes in the local area. With this in mind, the project should align with at least three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Common goals that projects contribute towards are No Poverty, Good Health and Wellbeing, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action and Affordable and Clean Energy.
7. Monitoring and evaluation: The project has robust monitoring and verification policies to ensure it continues to meet requirements.
   
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Yes! We only choose projects that improve social, economic and environmental outcomes in their local area. Each one aligns with at least three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A carbon registry or recognised standard is a system that keeps track of carbon credits and allows for their sale to organisations or individuals seeking to offset their own emissions. The registry ensures that each credit is only counted once and provides a reliable record of emission reductions, promoting integrity and credibility in carbon markets.

How effective carbon offsetting is, depends on a range of factors. CarbonClick evaluates projects based on key criteria, such as:

• Reliance on carbon finance (would the project have happened without carbon finance?)
• How long will the positive impact last?
• Are there any additional emissions caused outside of the project boundary?
• Are carbon emissions being overestimated?
• Are incentives given that may lead to action that worsens the effects of climate change) and double counting of credits. 

A strong project selection methodology reviews all of these criteria and only invests in projects that stack up. These projects make a very real, measurable impact and benefit the people and planet.

A B Corp, also known as a Benefit Corporation, is a type of for-profit company that places equal emphasis on generating social and environmental benefits, alongside its financial goals.

The "B" in B Corp stands for "Benefit”. To become a certified B Corp, a company undergoes a rigorous assessment by the non-profit organisation called B Lab.

This assessment evaluates various aspects of the company's operations, including its governance, workers' rights, environmental practices, community engagement, and transparency. B Corps need to meet specific performance and legal requirements that demonstrate their commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

By becoming a B Corp, a company publicly declares its commitment to using business as a force for good. It shows a dedication to sustainable practices, ethical business conduct, and creating positive impacts beyond mere financial profit. B Corps are part of a global movement that aims to redefine the purpose of business and foster a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

You can help drive positive change with our carbon footprint. It's free to use.

You can show that you genuinely care for the environment and the planet's communities. Join our carbon offsetting community (we call them 'planet coolers'), and have a lasting positive impact on climate change. Plus, you can support communities in developing countries around the world.

Our footprint calculator allows you to support essential carbon offsetting projects, effectively tackling climate change while lending a helping hand to those in need. A single click on the 'offset' button, right after you've completed your calculation, sets the wheels of change in motion. It's as simple as a few easy clicks, and the cost, which is very small per tonne of CO2, is a small investment for a brighter future. Your offsetting contribution will begin your journey towards a carbon-neutral, eco-friendly lifestyle today!

Many things we do in our day-to-day lives require energy. When this energy is generated through burning fossil fuels, it produces greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane.

Here are a few things that we do that contribute to our carbon footprint:

Flying: This creates a lot of emissions. It’s often one of the most contributing activities we do, especially when it comes to international travel.

Eating red meat: Creates methane emissions which are a powerful greenhouse gas.

Heating: The wood, gas, oil or electricity you use to heat your home.

Driving: Fuel oil burning creates carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and climate change.

Our carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases our lives generate. This footprint contributes to our planet’s warming and causes climate change.

That depends on where you live, how you travel, and what you eat and consume.

A footprint includes greenhouse gases apart from carbon: natural gas primarily comprises methane (agriculture) and other greenhouse gases like Nitrous Oxide/NO2 (flying). To count only carbon would exclude the other impacts we have.

Developed countries have the largest footprint because they tend to use more energy. Use our easy personal carbon footprint calculator to estimate your life's carbon emissions.