Tourism operators responding to climate change: reef friendly carbon offsetting

Abstract

Carbon offsetting is the final step you need to take for your business to become carbon neutral. Having calculated the carbon footprint of your business and done all you can to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, you can look at other ways to compensate for your remaining emissions, through activities such as tree planting or investing in carbon offset schemes. Lots of companies have established, or are funding projects, which help measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (see the websites listed opposite). The investment creates carbon offset credits or certificates which a business can buy from registered retailers at market price. Typical carbon offset activities that offer additional environmental benefits are: • Energy efficiency projects • Forestry activities • Avoidance of methane emissions • Renewable energy