Affordable Offsetting: Maximize Impact Without Overspending
Aug 6, 2024
We spoke to dozens of companies again and again discussing the pains around offsetting. Here’s one of the most common themes:
It’s just hard to make decisions. You always feel like you’re missing an important piece of information, like you’re not seeing the whole picture. And you have to present your case and explain your decisions.
What we see in today’s carbon markets is a growing gap between buyers that spend millions on offsetting and the rest. Large companies navigate the market with the help of consultants or in-house experts—options that aren’t economically viable for most companies. This brings us back to the central question:
How do we get to impact at scale?
At Atem we are sure that it’s not the few percent at the top, but the majority of companies globally that will move the needle. That’s why we want to close the gap and democratize offsetting. It’s all about making crucial information easy to understand and accessible for free: Empowering every company to fully participate in combating climate change.
Many companies are striving to reduce their net emissions by purchasing carbon offsets, but struggle to do so. However, the complexity of the carbon market often makes it challenging to go forward, with bold decisions. It makes it hard to find affordable yet effective offsets.
The Challenge of Affordability
One major challenge companies face is the cost of impactful carbon credits. Many companies, especially smaller ones, lack the resources to spend on higher-priced offsets or to hire experts for individual guidance. This often leads to either overspending or investing in low-quality offsets that do not provide the desired environmental benefits.
Identify What’s Worth Buying
The Carbon Cockpit uses the CCQI framework and many additional data points to evaluate carbon credit projects based on three main scores: Trust, Value, and Guideline Fit.
1. Trust Score: Evaluates the reliability of carbon credits based on project type, location, methodology, and third-party ratings.
2. Value Score: Assesses the cost-effectiveness of the credits, helping businesses identify the highest-value options.
3. Guideline Fit Score: Matches projects to a company’s specific sustainability guidelines, ensuring the credits align with their goals.
By utilizing tools like Atem’s Carbon Cockpit, companies can navigate the carbon market more effectively, ensuring they invest in affordable and impactful carbon offsets. This approach not only supports sustainability goals but also enhances the company’s reputation and compliance with environmental standards.
Start leveraging your data-driven carbon expert today: