User:1241vanpan/Carbon offsets and credits

A carbon offset is a reduction or removal of emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases in order to compensate for emissions made elsewhere. A carbon credit or offset credit is a transferrable financial instrument, that is a derivative of an underlying commodity. Governments or independent certification bodies certify carbon credits as representing an emission reduction that can then be bought or sold. When a business or individual invests in a carbon offsetting program, that business or individual receives carbon credits, i.e the "tokens" used to account for net climate benefits from one entity to another. Offsets and credits are both measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e). One carbon offset or credit represents a reduction or removal of one tonne of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases. Since the offset projects generally take place in the future, they can be considered to be a type of promissory note.