Explained: Carbon offsetting, and why we can no longer ignore it

Nov 1, 2022

Pristine forest in the tropics. Carbon offsetting preserves rainforests.

The preservation of rainforests and replanting of trees are key ways that companies can engage in carbon offsetting. Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Explore and monitor how Climate Change is affecting economies, industries and global issues

A hand holding a looking glass by a lake

Crowdsource Innovation

Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale

Stay up to date:

COP28

Listen to the article

Have you read?

Prices of Certified Emissions Reductions, a type of offset credit, representing one tonne of CO2, peaked in 2008 and flatlined in 2013 Image: Sylvera

Discover

What are voluntary carbon markets?

Don't miss any update on this topic

Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

The Agenda Weekly

A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda

Subscribe today

You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. For more details, review our privacy policy.

More on COP28
See all

3 sectors share insights on measuring scope 3 emissions

Marion Jansen

December 4, 2023

Why closing the price gap for green fuels is key to decarbonizing the maritime sector

Vincent Clerc and Takeshi Hashimoto

December 2, 2023

COP28 agrees to establish loss and damage fund for vulnerable countries

Cristen Hemingway Jaynes

December 1, 2023

Why green tech’s multiplier effect is critical to achieving climate goals

Caspar Herzberg

December 1, 2023

The climate and nature agendas must align at COP28. Can help come from space?

Marco Lambertini and Yana Gevorgyan

December 1, 2023

Clean ammonia is key to cutting maritime emissions. Here's why

Svein Tore Holsether

December 1, 2023