Carbon
Offsetting

Carbon offsetting allows organisations to compensate for their residual greenhouse gas emissions by funding verified carbon reduction or removal projects elsewhere.

When you purchase a carbon credit, you're funding projects that either:

• Avoid emissions: Renewable energy displacing fossil fuels
• Reduce emissions: Clean cookstoves reducing fuelwood consumption
• Remove carbon: Afforestation capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere

Each credit represents one tonne of CO₂ equivalent reduced or removed, independently verified by standards like Gold Standard or Verra.

Always reduce first. The carbon management hierarchy is clear:

1. Measure: Understand your carbon footprint
2. Reduce: Eliminate emissions wherever feasible
3. Offset: Compensate for unavoidable residual emissions

Offsetting without reduction is greenwashing. Credible carbon neutrality claims require documented reduction efforts alongside offsetting.

NetScope software helps you identify reduction opportunities before calculating your offsetting requirement—ensuring your carbon neutrality strategy is robust and defensible.

Both are leading international carbon offset standards, but they differ in focus and requirements:

• Gold Standard (Founded by WWF):
  • Highest emphasis on sustainable development co-benefits
  • Stricter requirements for community engagement
  • Generally higher-priced credits due to rigorous criteria
  • Preferred by organisations with strong ESG commitments
• Verra (VCS - Verified Carbon Standard):
  • Largest carbon offset registry globally
  • Wider range of project types and geographies
  • Robust verification but less emphasis on co-benefits
  • More cost-effective for large-scale offsetting

We provide access to both standards, helping you select projects that align with your budget, values, and stakeholder expectations.

Legitimate carbon offset projects must meet four key criteria:

• Additionality: The project wouldn't have happened without carbon finance
• Permanence: Carbon reductions/removals are long-lasting
• Verification: Independent third-party auditing
• No double-counting: Each credit is retired only once

Look for these assurance markers:

• Certification by Gold Standard, Verra, or UN Climate Neutral Now
• Third-party ratings from BeZero or Calyx Global
• Public registry retirement certificates
• Transparent project documentation

We only provide credits from verified projects with full traceability and retirement documentation published in public registries.

Carbon credit prices vary significantly based on project type, standard, and co-benefits:

• Renewable energy projects: £8-£15 per tonne CO₂e
• Forestry and REDD+ projects: £10-£25 per tonne CO₂e
• Clean cookstove projects: £12-£20 per tonne CO₂e
• Carbon removal (afforestation): £15-£40 per tonne CO₂e

Factors affecting price:

• Certification standard (Gold Standard typically higher than Verra)
• Project location and co-benefits (SDG alignment)
• Volume purchased (bulk discounts available)
• Market conditions and demand

Contact us for transparent pricing tailored to your offsetting requirements and values.

Yes, but with important caveats:

You can offset Scope 1, 2, and Scope 3 emissions, but credible carbon neutrality claims require:

• Accurate measurement: Complete carbon footprint using GHG Protocol
• Reduction plan: Documented strategy to reduce emissions over time
• Transparent offsetting: Public disclosure of credits purchased and retired
• Third-party verification: Audited footprint for large organisations

Avoid greenwashing:

• Don't claim "Net Zero" from offsetting alone—this requires 90% absolute reduction
• Use "Carbon Neutral" terminology for offset-based neutralisation
• Be transparent about what's included (e.g., "Scope 1 & 2 Carbon Neutral")

NetScope calculates your offsetting requirement and provides documentation to support defensible carbon neutrality claims.