Offsetting Projects

What to consider when investing in a carbon offset project

By considering these factors, a company can make informed decisions when purchasing CO2 offsetting projects and contribute effectively to its sustainability and climate goals.

Tailored to Specific Needs

Custom projects can be designed to address the unique emissions profile and sustainability goals of an organization or individual. This ensures that offsetting efforts are directly aligned with their carbon footprint.

Maximize Impact

By customizing a project, it's possible to select activities that have a more significant environmental impact or provide additional co-benefits, such as local job creation, biodiversity conservation, or renewable energy generation

Local Engagement

Custom projects often involve local communities and stakeholders, fostering collaboration and support for emission reduction initiatives. This can lead to greater social acceptance and long-term sustainability.

Brand Alignment

For businesses, a customized offset project can be designed to align with their brand values and corporate social responsibility goals. This can enhance the company's reputation and resonate with environmentally conscious customers.

Innovation

Custom projects may involve innovative technologies or approaches that go beyond standard carbon offset methods. This can drive research and development in sustainable practices

Measurable Progress

Custom projects can be closely monitored and evaluated, allowing for transparency and accountability. This helps demonstrate real emissions reductions and the effectiveness of offsetting efforts.

Educational Value

Creating a custom offset project can be an educational opportunity, raising awareness about emissions sources and mitigation strategies. It can engage stakeholders and encourage broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

I. Customized Projects

A customized carbon offset project is a unique initiative designed to specifically address the carbon emissions and sustainability goals of a particular organization or entity.

Unlike standardized or pre-existing offset projects, which are available for purchase by multiple buyers, a customized project is tailored to meet the specific needs and objectives of a single entity.

While customized offsetting projects offer these benefits, it’s important to ensure they are developed and managed with transparency, robust monitoring, and adherence to recognized standards to maintain their credibility and effectiveness.

INPUTS TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR PROJECT:

Measures: How many carbon tons are to be offset
Timeline: When do you plan to start emissions
Methodology: What mythology are you interested in (what contribute the most to your negative emissions)
Standard: What standard would you like to apply

II. Ongoing Projects

Carbon offset projects that have already identified landowners, methodologies, and standards. However, it can be adaptable to customers' needs. These are typically in the “PDD” or documentation stage, the goal is to benefit a single, specific beneficiary.

This climate change mitigation initiative plays a vital role in reducing CO2 emissions by implementing food management practices designed to mitigate or eliminate Enteric Methane (CH4) in ruminant diets. The initiative places a strong emphasis on targeting high-density livestock regions at the national level, aiming to maximize its impact in curbing these emissions.

Project type: Livestock, enteric fermentation and manure management
Environment: Livestock landscapes of the Orinoquia, Andes and Caribbean region
Potential impact: 29.642.539 millions of livestock, ICA, 2023.
Standard: VERRA
Average emissions: 1 tCO2e/Livestock x year
Accreditation period: 7 years

This climate change mitigation initiative makes a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions by executing a comprehensive strategy that includes the recovery, efficient management, and elimination of eligible residual biomass from rice, palm, cocoa, and coffee crops. By tackling these biomass sources, it not only reduces emissions but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices and resource optimization.

Project type: Emissions reduction
Potential Área: 570.802 Hectares of rice crops in Colombia, DANE, 2022.
Environments: Industrial crops with high generation of organic waste
Standard: VERRA
Potential emissions: 1 tCO2e/hestates/year

This climate change mitigation initiative actively contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions by employing a multifaceted approach. It includes the implementation of conservation agriculture practices, passive restoration efforts, and the crucial rewetting of peatlands that were previously drained for forestry, peat extraction, or agriculture. By addressing these critical areas, the initiative not only mitigates emissions but also aids in the preservation of valuable ecosystems and their carbon sequestration potential.

Project type: Restauration
Environment: Páramos in (Chile-Argentina) moderate climate zone
Potential area: 1.022.000 hectares
Standard: VERRA
Potential emissions: 1,5 tCO2e/hectares/ years
Accreditation period: 50 years
Scientific Model: Hydrological model, 100-year reference scenario,
Working scale: 1:25,000 and 1:10,000.

III. Offset ready initiatives

These are operational projects actively emitting and selling certificates. They have established methodologies and standards in place, requiring less governance and tailoring compared to customized or ongoing projects

This climate change mitigation initiative combats CO2 emissions through activities aimed at curbing deforestation and degradation in gallery forests, tropical dry forests, and the transformation of natural continental wetlands in the Eastern Plains region. CO2Bio, initiated in 2015, has set an ambitious goal to connect and protect 500,000 hectares of these vital ecosystems by the year 2030

Type of Project: REDD+ wetlands.
Ecosystems: marine and coastal wetlands in the macro basins of the Orinoco.
Registered Area: 289.107 hectares to 2022
CO2 Emissions Avoided: 1.414.953 tCO2e.
Estándar: Biocarbon Registry.

CultivO2 is dedicated to reducing and sequestering greenhouse gases by implementing eco-friendly production systems for crops like cocoa, cashew, palm, coffee, and avocado. The initiative’s primary aim is to contribute to biodiversity conservation, protect above and below-ground carbon stores, and enhance clean water management in critical regions. CultivO2 goes beyond environmental benefits; it also champions the economic, social, and environmental well-being of producer families by providing economic incentives from carbon certificate sales. This initiative was launched in 2017 with the vision of connecting 20,000 hectares of private land to its mission by 2036.

Project Type: REDD+, AR.
Ecosystem: Forests and productive systems.
Standard: BioCarbon Registry
Registered areas to 2022: 4.300 hectares

This climate change mitigation initiative actively combats land use changes in moors, peatlands, and wetlands, along with deforestation and forest degradation in Colombia’s Andes Mountains. It promotes the restoration of degraded areas, fostering ecological rejuvenation to safeguard biodiversity, ensure carbon sequestration both above and below the ground, and facilitate sustainable water management within vital ecosystems. Paramuno commenced its mission in 2017, with an ambitious goal of connecting 600,000 hectares of private land to its conservation efforts by 2036.”

Project Type: REDD+, EAM, AR
Registered Area to 2022: 85.000 hectares
Ecosystems: High mountains and natural forest in the mountain range of the Andes
Standard: BioCarbon Registry