Carbon Offset

A carbon offset negates the overall amount of carbon released into the atmosphere by avoiding the release or removing it elsewhere – eg through a renewable energy or energy conservation project. Voluntary carbon offsetting schemes can can help people reduce their carbon footprint, but should only be used as a last resort. It is also important that a credible scheme is used – see www.cdmgoldstandard.org.

Source:

Green Guide, "Simple Terminology," Available Online at http://www.greenguide.co.uk/pgg_simple, Retrieved October 27, 2008