What is global warming?

Global warming is a distinct, measurable and long-term increase in the Earth's average temperature.

What is climate change?

Climate change is a change in the distribution of global weather patterns over a long time.

What are greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that absorb heat and re-radiate that heat into the atmosphere.

What is a carbon credit?

A carbon credit is an independently certified unit representing greenhouse gas emissions that have been removed from or prevented from entering the atmosphere.

What is carbon trading?

Carbon trading is a market-based approach to managing pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

REDD+ stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. REDD+ projects can generate carbon credits by protecting forests from deforestation and degradation.

AFOLU stands for Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use. AFOLU projects include activities such as afforestation, reforestation, improved forest management and reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation.

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy comes from naturally replenished resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat.

What is the difference between voluntary and compliance carbon markets?

Compliance carbon markets allow trading of carbon units to meet legal obligations, while voluntary carbon markets allow organisations and individuals to purchase carbon units voluntarily.

What is carbon neutrality?

Carbon neutrality generally refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero or balancing remaining emissions through measures such as purchasing carbon credits, subject to applicable definitions and requirements.

Carbon Projects

How Businesses Can Offset Their Carbon Emissions the Right Way

More businesses than ever are committing to net zero, carbon neutrality or science-based targets. Carbon credits play a role in most of these strategies, but offsetting done badly can expose a company to greenwashing claims. Choosing the right carbon emission offset provider for business, and using credits in the right way, protects both your climate impact and your reputation.

Step 1: Measure your footprint

Start by calculating your emissions across Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (purchased electricity) and, ideally, Scope 3 (your value chain). The GHG Protocol is the standard framework.

Step 2: Reduce what you can

Credible climate strategies put emission reductions first: energy efficiency, renewable electricity, fleet electrification and supplier engagement. Offsets should address the emissions you cannot yet eliminate, not replace real reductions.

Step 3: Offset residual emissions with quality credits

For the emissions that remain, carbon credits let you fund verified reductions or removals elsewhere. Businesses typically use credits to:

Support carbon neutral claims for a product, event or organisation
Contribute to climate action beyond their own value chain
Neutralise residual emissions on the way to net zero

Step 4: Communicate honestly

Be specific about what you have offset, which credits you used and where they came from. Vague claims are the main source of greenwashing complaints.

What makes a good offset provider?

Transparency: You should know exactly which project your credits come from, and see them retired on a public registry in your name.
Recognised standards: Credits should be certified under a trusted standard such as Verra’s VCS.
Project quality: Look for strong additionality, conservative baselines and permanence safeguards.
Co-benefits: Community and biodiversity benefits strengthen your sustainability story.
Direct project connection: Buying close to the source, from a project developer, can improve traceability and ensure more money reaches the project.

Why buy from a project developer?

Asia Pacific Carbon develops projects directly in the Asia and Pacific region, so businesses can trace their credits back to real forests and communities. Learn more about us and how we support businesses with high-integrity offsets.