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Offset requirements
To be effective at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, carbon offsets need to
See also Offset providers
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Measurable
One of the elements of the protocol is a standardized method of measuring and quantifying how much of a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is being achieved.
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Leakage
Leakage occurs when emissions are not truly reduced; they are just moved somewhere else.
For example, it’s possible for companies to reduce their emissions by outsourcing high-emission production to another country or region that is outside the Cap & Trade system. To completely prevent leakage, Cap & Trade systems need to be global.
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Additionality
An offset must produce a greenhouse gas emission reduction that is over and above (i.e. additional) to business as usual.
For example, would the wind power system have been built anyway even without the investment through selling carbon offset credits?
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Permanence
Sequestration projects need to ensure that emissions are kept out of the atmosphere for a reasonable length of time.
For example, carbon is drawn into and locked within a tree only as long as the tree is green and growing. Once it starts to decay, its carbon goes back into the atmosphere.
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Protocols
Protocols or rules need to be developed and documented for every type of offset scheme and application region.
For example, landfill gas schemes that work in the tropics may not work in the arctic.
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Validation and verification
Reliable, independent auditors need to validate each project before it starts and verify each result.
