The anatomy of a carbon offset
A carbon offset represents a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. A developer can create a carbon offset when she builds a project that lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Revenue from the sale of the offset finances the installation of the project. Google decided from the start that we wanted to be sure that the carbon offsets we buy lead to real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. There are lots of different flavors and styles of carbon offsets, so I review each project’s history, documentation and financials to be confident that the project we’re investing in results in greenhouse gas reductions that wouldn’t have happened without our investment. To be sure we’re buying what we think we’re buying, I also visit each site to get my hands dirty—to see the equipment and interview the staff. Finally, a third-party verifier makes sure the project is delivering the reductions claimed.
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