Reducing GHG emissions (including through avoided emissions), or increasing GHG removals through activities external to an organization, in order to compensate for GHG emissions, such that an organization’s net contribution to global emissions is reduced. Offsetting is typically arranged through a marketplace for carbon credits or other exchange mechanisms. Offsetting claims are only valid under a rigorous set of conditions, including that the reductions/removals involved are additional, not over-estimated, and exclusively claimed. Further, offsetting can only be used to claim net zero status to the extent it is “like for like” with any residual emissions. See also compensation and neutralization.
