You are aware of what the Carbon Footprint is, and its impact doesn’t just affect our lives , but on the whole world. But did you realize that you can to buy Carbon Credit to compensate for all the emissions that companies as well as individuals create?
As it is the largest responsible gas that causes the imbalance in the Greenhouse Effect, we need to address global warming and climate change, both of which are already, making their obvious presence. So, if we do not alter the way we connect to carbon, we’ll face a uncertain future.
In the belief that the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere is unsettling the concept of carbon credit was developed in 1997, based on the Kyoto Protocol.
The proposed plan was linked in the direction of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Countries must reduce their emissions by 5.2 percent, in comparison to figures recorded in 1990, in addition to actively participating in environmental problems.
The objectives of nations as well as companies must be designed to decrease carbon emissions, without the requirement to purchase credits. The less the purchase is required, the lesser carbon will be released into the air.
Find out more about the use of carbon credit in addition to its benefits and drawbacks in this article.
What Produces Carbon?
The process of photosynthesis is one of the most popular methods of creating carbon. Living creatures absorb solar energy and carbon dioxide from the air, and convert this carbon dioxide in oxygen. Through breathing and the decomposition process of living beings carbon dioxide is released as well.
Carbon is produced by terrestrial, marine, animal, and human beings. Carbon is produced by the process of decomposition as well as by the utilization of fossil fuels including coal, oil, or natural gas. Furthermore, carbon production takes place every day through pollution, deforestation, and fires.
What are the problems with Carbon?
Carbon production was first identified as a problem due to the high volume of production. The process, which would be natural and well-balanced was intensified with human activities after the Industrial Revolution. That’s why the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is now very dangerous.
These emissions into the atmosphere disrupt the natural process of warming that occurs on Earth. Instead of having a perfect greenhouse effect which is required for maintaining a steady temperature across the globe, we need to deal with overheating, since the greater concentration of gases that cause this stops the heat from spreading out into space.
The concentration of greenhouse gases affects the entire ecosystem of Earth leading to global warming. Overheating can cause worldwide climate changes. Every aspect of our life is dependent on the seasons, too much or too little rain. Extreme cold and intense heat are details that completely change the way we live on Earth.
Therefore, we follow drastic changes such as:
melting glaciers;
Dry and flooding;
loss of biodiversity
volcanoes erupting, etc.
What is Carbon compensation?
There are various initiatives that aim to cut carbon emissions. However, certain emissions are unavoidable. However, they can be compensated or neutralized by investing are made into actions to make sure that carbon emissions are balanced. that is released.
One carbon credit equals one ton of carbon not being released into the atmosphere. The amount of carbon credits varies. as of now, in Brazil it is around $2000. Countries can buy carbon credits for sale along with companies. But this market should not be understood as the solution to emissions of carbon at will. In fact, it is the opposite.
Carbon compensation can be accomplished with simple actions in everyday living, such as the reduction of energy use. Living a sustainable life can also be a method to reduce carbon emissions and you are able to:
recycle;
selecting one or two times each week to not eat meat for a couple of days;
rethink the use of cars;
Have a conscious consumption
between others.
Changes made by businesses on a day-to-day basis must be considered in conjunction with the changes created by people.
Businesses must choose to invest in green infrastructure while maintaining environmental consciousness and even encouraging environmental actions with employees. Additionally, they have to think about forms of compensation, such as the purchase of carbon credits. What is a carbon credit exchange? Find out here.
A different option for businesses is to promote planting trees and to create green areas. It is also possible for people to join this green movement and also support organisations that promote sustainable practices. Carbon compensation is a necessity that needs to be considered by all to prevent an environmental deterioration for the life on Earth.
Check out our post What does a carbon footprint mean? how does it impact your life. In it, you’ll learn more about carbon and the consequences of carbon in your life. The book also contains information to help you cut down on emission of greenhouse gases.
Who can reduce carbon emissions?
CO2 emissions are neutralized through both individuals and companies.
It is increasingly common for companies to participate in this process of neutralizing emission as well as purchasing carbon credits. Even large global companies participate in this process, such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz and Unilever. Then, in Brazil, Natura put into application the Carbon Neutral Program in 2007.
Companies are recognizing the link between environmental issues and economic prosperity. So, in addition to investing in green initiatives, they are also establishing goals to reduce carbon emissions. Projects are as varied as possible, and can be:
the investment in renewable energy;
Zero waste
Create biodegradable materials
creation of ecological cars;
create a sustainable production chain;
in addition to.
Alongside the actions and changes in the production process of companies, some are investing on the buying and selling of carbon credits which are now a brand new currency on the financial market. A carbon credit is equal to one ton of carbon that hasn’t gone into the atmosphere.
The countries also join in this initiative to offset emissions. Like the case of companies, their actions have be planned in a sustainable way. In addition, they can participate in the carbon credit market.
Advantages of Carbon Credit Carbon Credit
As was mentioned previously the carbon credit is equivalent 1 ton of carbon that has not been released by the earth. Therefore, having the credit is an advantage. A country or company who doesn’t see an alternative to reduce its emission finds an advantage when it purchases this credit.
For some organizations, countries and even companies, the profit lies in the selling of carbon credits, as they are entities that are able to reduce carbon emissions. By doing this, they improve their economy by giving benefits of investing in sustainable projects they design.
The purchase of carbon credits by firms who are concerned about the environment is favorable for their image. Sometimes, the business is sustainable however there is some amount of carbon it cannot stop emitting. In this instance the credit purchase illustrates how much the company considers encouraging sustainable actions.
Disadvantages of Carbon Credit
The main disadvantage of the carbon credit lies precisely on the market for exchange. Certain institutions and nations can accept the market in order to continue releasing their greenhouse gases. They do not take initiatives to limit emissions because they are able to purchase unlimited credits.
In this scenario, the reduction of 1 ton of carbon, that is, 1 credit, is not enough. Since, in actual fact the person using the entire ton, and it won’t be a real emission reduction. It is a disadvantage that has caused a lot of controversy for environmentalists and world leaders.
Carbon credits should be thought of as a sustainable option. Consider it an alternative to emergency situations, not to rest on the notion that the credit has been used to save.
Everyone’s focus must be on cutting carbon dioxide emissions. In this way, we be able stop the negative consequences caused by global warming.
