What can I do to reduce my carbon footprint? You can’t stop functioning in society. Certain elements of your carbon footprint are unavoidable. However, this does not absolve you from your responsibility. Use our footprint calculator to determine how much to offset. Use your footprint as a benchmark method to setting your goals for reduction. In order to reduce your impact, there are many simple steps you can take. The idea is to change your behavior one day at a time in order to meet your long term goals. For ideas, take a look at our green tips.

What will I get when purchase offsets? Beyond the knowledge that you are an agent for positive environmental change, you'll receive an Ally of the Environment Certificate detailing your offset. Also, depending on what you offset, you will receive relevant decals for your home, office, or automobiles. If you offset your flights, you will receive a luggage tag.

How does offsetting my carbon footprint reduce climate change? Climate change is the silent crisis we are all facing. By offsetting, you become part of the solution rather than the problem. Your offset dollars go to purchase carbon reducing projects such as landfill gas capture, reforestation, and green energy like wind and solar.

Is there such a thing as Carbon Neutral? Lots of critics of offsetting claim that there is no such thing as being carbon neutral. It is a metaphor for being responsible. The idea is to use your personal impact as a method to set a carbon reduction goal. We say “carbon neutral” or “offset” because the amount of carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere is equal to or greater than the personal impact you have. Semantics are not a reason to excuse yourself.

What makes my offsets official? The Chicago Climate Exchange is the United States’ largest voluntary cap and trade market. All offsets are registered with project that have met the standards of the exchange. As an extra layer of security, CFIs are purchased through Verus Carbon Neutral a member of the CCX.

Why are you not a charity? Simply put, we could not survive as a charity or a non-profit. This issue is too important to be owned exclusively by the volunteer and nonprofit world. We are applying major advertising budgets to this cause in order to move the needle on climate change and our environment.

How do you choose which projects to fund? We fund projects that work and have a clear immediate impact on our climate. Every project we fund must be registered with the Chicago Climate Exchange ╨ and that weeds out a lot. We feature programs that are secured and registered through Verus Carbon Neutral.

Do you use tree planting to offset? Yes, but we take the position that this is only one way to offset and not always the best. We usually mix in some reforestation with our offsets because as a complete project, tree planting can be highly effective.

How do you calculate the CO2 emissions? We use the best available information for calculating emissions from business and individual activities based on the latest EPA information and calculator.

Why do different offset companies have different prices? There are several factors in the pricing of offsets. Many times, the price for the carbon offsets were negotiated long ago, before the market forces took effect. Contractual obligations to offset providers force the price up. Another factor is the cost associated with out reach. Often times, the marketing cost is built into the price of the offset. Otherwise, the lower price would be kind of like a tree falling in the woods.

What is cap and trade? Simply put, cap and trade is a marketplace where companies promise to reduce their carbon footprint – if they exceed their promise, they generate “offsets” to sell to other companies that do not meet their promise. In addition to corporate members, cap and trades trade offsets from green projects. This is where Offset Alliance lives – we fund projects that advance a greener world.

What happens to the offset once it is purchased? The offset is a portion of a CFI or carbon financial instrument. There are 100 metric tons or “offsets” in a CFI. Once 100 “offsets” have been purchased, the CFI is retired. Never to be traded again.