Carbon credits correspond to a determined tradable quantity of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. They are normally quoted in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, and are used to offset emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels in any process that uses energy that emits GHGs, whether in industry, transportation or the household. Carbon credits are used in signatory countries to the Kyoto Protocol to meet emission reduction targets.

Offsetting is a way for individuals and companies to compensate their own greenhouse gas emissions by investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects elsewhere. By offsetting your emissions for an activity (e.g. a flight), that activity becomes “carbon neutral”.

Many think that industry is the biggest polluter and that they should bear the primary responsibility to clean up. We believe that we all share this responsibility. The sum of our own impacts – millions of citizens driving cars, heating homes, buying goods etc. is, in the end, what causes industry to exist and pollute.

Indeed: Your emissions are minute compared to the total in your city, in Canada, or let alone on the planet. However, those massive emissions are the result of a myriad of individual actions. So if each of us weren’t emitting as much, we would not have a problem. And if no one reduces and offsets, climate change will continue unabated. The challenge is therefore to convince everyone to act, even if the others’ action is not immediately visible. Offsetting is a relatively young concept, but Planetair is convinced that it is an integral part of solving the climate change challenge, and it will become as common as recycling in the years to come. By reducing, offsetting and talking about it, you help create a movement that can reach a critical mass. So spread the message and you, too, can be part of the solution.