You already know what the Carbon Footprint is, and its impact not only on our lives but on the whole world. However, did you also be aware that it is possible to buy Carbon Credit to compensate for all the emissions that companies and individuals emit?
Because it is the main responsible gas in the imbalance of the Greenhouse Effect, we need to confront global warming and climate change that are, already, showing their presence. Therefore, if not change how we relate to carbon, we’ll face a uncertain future.
Based on the idea that carbon dioxide that goes into the atmosphere is worrying The concept of carbon credit was conceived in 1997, based on Kyoto Protocol.
The idea was linked on the topic of the decrease of emissions of greenhouse gases. Countries had to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 percent, in comparison to the numbers reported in 1990, addition to being more involved in environmental problems.
The objectives of nations as well as companies must be designed in order to minimize carbon emissions without the necessity of buying credits. The less the purchase is required, the less carbon emissions will be released into the atmosphere.
Learn more about the use of carbon credits in addition to its pros and cons in this post.
What causes carbon?
Photosynthesis is the best-known way of creating carbon. Living beings absorb solar power in addition to carbon dioxide that is released from the atmosphere and convert this carbon dioxide in oxygen. As they breathe and decomposition of living things carbon is released too.
Carbon is created through terrestrial, aquatic animal, and human beings. These are the products that result from the process of decomposition and due to the use of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. In addition, carbon production is occurring in a regular basis due to pollution, deforestation, as well as fires.
What are Carbon’s problems?
Carbon production became an issue due to the huge amount of production. The process, that was thought to be normal and well-balanced, was accelerated by human activity following the Industrial Revolution. This is the reason the amount of carbon in the atmosphere has become extremely harmful.
The emissions that are released into the atmosphere disrupt the natural process of warming in the Earth. Instead of having an ideal climate change effect that is vital to ensure a stable temperature across the globe We must deal with excessive heat, as the greater amount of gases that cause this keeps the heat from escaping out into space.
The concentration of greenhouse gases impacts the entire ecosystem on Earth and causes global warming: overheating causes global climate change. Our whole lifestyle is tied to the seasons, excessive or insufficient rain. Extreme cold and intense heat are two aspects that can completely alter the way that life happens on Earth.
We therefore follow drastic changes like:
melting glaciers;
floods and droughts;
loss of biodiversity
volcanoes erupting, etc.
What is Carbon compensation?
There are many initiatives to limit carbon emissions. However, certain emissions are not a choice. However, they can be neutralized or compensated in the sense that investments are made into actions to balance the amount of carbon produced.
One carbon credit equals one tonne of carbon dioxide that has not been emitted into the atmosphere. The amount of carbon credits varies. currently in Brazil, it costs around $2000. Countries can buy carbon credits for sale as well as companies. But the market should not be understood as the solution to releasing carbon on a whim. It is quite the opposite.
Carbon compensation can be achieved through simple measures in everyday life, like reducing energy expenditure. Being a green lifestyle is also a way to reduce carbon emissions therefore you could:
recycle;
selecting one or two times each week to not eat meat;
rethink the use of the car;
Have a conscious consumption
between others.
The changes made by companies on a daily basis have to be compared to the changes that are made by individuals.
Businesses should consider sustainable infrastructure, maintaining ecological awareness and even encouraging environmentally conscious actions among employees. They also need to think about forms of compensation such as purchasing carbon credits.
Another alternative for companies is to encourage the planting of trees and the creation of green spaces. People can also participate in this green movement or even join groups that promote sustainable activities. Compensating for carbon is a necessity that needs to be thought of by everyone to stop environmental degradation for the living things on Earth.
Check out our post What does a carbon footprint mean? how does it impact your daily life. In it, you’ll know more about carbon emissions and the effects of carbon on your daily life. There is still information for you to help curb carbon dioxide emissions.
Who can neutralize carbon emissions?
Emissions from carbon can be neutralized through individuals and businesses.
It is increasingly common for companies to get involved in this process of neutralizing emission as well as purchasing carbon credits. Even large global companies participate in this initiative, including Apple, Google, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz and Unilever. In Brazil, Natura put into application its Carbon Neutral Program in 2007.
Businesses are understanding the connection between environmental concerns and economic prosperity. Thus, as well as investing in sustainable initiatives, they have also begun to develop carbon neutralization goals. Projects are as diverse as they can be, and could be:
investment in renewable energy;
Zero waste
develop biodegradable substances;
creation of ecological cars;
create a sustainable production chain;
and many more.
In addition to the actions and changes in the manufacturing process of companies, some invest to purchase or the sale of carbon credits which are now a currency in the market for financial services. A carbon credit is equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide that hasn’t gone into the atmosphere.
The countries also join in this movement to neutralize emissions. In the case of enterprises, their decisions need to be planned to be sustainable. Additionally, they could participate in the carbon credit market.
Advantages of Carbon Credit Carbon Credit
As was mentioned previously each carbon credit corresponds to a ton of carbon that has not been released in the environment. This means that possessing the right to buy the credit can be an advantage. The company or country which doesn’t have any other option to cut down on the emission of its products sees an advantage in purchasing this credit.
For some countries, organisations, and companies, the advantage lies in the sale of carbon credits since they are organizations that can lower the carbon footprint of their operations. In this way, they increase their economic performance by leveraging the worth of investing in sustainable initiatives they create.
Carbon credits purchased by companies who are concerned about the environment can boost their image. Sometimes the company behaves sustainably but it still emits some carbon it cannot stop emitting. In this scenario the credit purchase is a sign of how much the company takes pride in encouraging sustainable activities.
Carbon Credit’s disadvantages Credit
The biggest drawback of the carbon credit lies in the exchange market. Some institutions and countries can accommodate themselves in the market and continue to emit their greenhouse gasses. They don’t invest in measures to reduce emissions since they are able to buy unlimited credits.
In this instance the reduction of 1 ton of carbon, that is, one credit won’t be enough. Because, in fact it is likely that someone will utilize this amount, therefore there is no emission reduction. It’s a drawback that is causing a lot of debate among the world’s leaders and environmentalists.
Visit this website to learn more about the carbon credit exchange.
The utilization of carbon credits also needs to be considered in a sustainable manner. Understand that it is an alternative to emergency situations, not to rest on the notion that the other option has saved.
All of us must focus on reducing the greenhouse gases emissions. In this way, the world be able to reverse the negative effects caused by global warming.