Solutions For Small Businesses

A carbon credit is a certificate representing the reduction of one metric ton (2,205 lbs) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions, the principal cause of climate change. Although complex in practice, carbon credits are fairly simple in theory. If you develop a project that reduces carbon dioxide emissions, every ton of emissions reduced results in the creation of one carbon credit. Project developers can then sell these credits to help finance the construction and ongoing operation of their projects.

Carbon credits can be used to offset carbon emissions from all activities that add to your carbon footprint.

We encourage individuals and organizations alike to first reduce their carbon footprint as best they can. Most of us can’t reduce our carbon footprint to zero, so carbon credits should be used to offset the impact of these remaining emissions.

For individuals, the three most common and measurable activities include:

(1) Car Travel: If you own a car, chances are that burning gasoline is a major source of carbon emissions.

(2) Home energy use: Heating, cooling, and using appliances can be a significant source of emissions for many people.

(3) Air travel: A round-trip flight between New York and Los Angeles uses about 120 gallons of jet fuel per passenger. This single trip creates CO2 emissions equal to about 2 months of driving.

Go to our calculator to calculate the emissions from these activities.

For businesses: Businesses engage in a number of activities that are carbon intensive and vary based on business type. In general, these activities include employees’ commutes, building energy use, servers and data storage, employee travel and shipping or other freight.  Our corporate carbon calculator can help you assess the major components of your business’ carbon footprint, or you can contact one of our advisors.

Carbon credits allow individuals and businesses to be accountable for their unavoidable carbon emissions. While reducing your carbon emissions is an important first step in fighting climate change, we need to do more to reduce greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. When you purchase carbon credits from Terrapass you are supporting emissions reductions projects in communities throughout the North America and the world.

For businesses, calculating your carbon footprint is an important measurement of resources. Knowing and offsetting your carbon footprint creates value for your business by:

Showing leadership and innovation. Taking action sends a strong message to your key stakeholders — employees, customers, and investors, many of whom will hold your business accountable for its contribution to climate change.

Involving your employees. A Terrapass employee program will help communicate your business’ dedication to the environment and infuse that commitment into your company’s culture.

Aligning with your customers’ values. People prefer to do business with companies whose values align with their own. Demonstrating your business’ commitment to addressing climate change with a carbon offset program will help attract and retain valuable customers.

Yes. To ensure maximum transparency and accountability, every Terrapass offset purchase is verified by an accredited and independent third party at the project level, when and where the offsets are being created. In addition, our total offset portfolio is subject to a separate periodic review by a different accredited and independent third party. Read more about our verification practices

There’s only one atmosphere. Unlike smog or acid rain, climate change is not limited to any specific region, and offsets offer a global solution to climate change. However, our projects do usually provide additional environmental benefits such as reductions in mercury, volatile organic compounds, and groundwater contamination, which are beneficial to the communities where the projects are based.

Please visit our Terrapass Standards page for the latest information on our product integrity standards.