The Complete Guide To Carbon Offsets

If you're confused about carbon offsetting, you're not alone. Misinformation and strong opinions about offsets abound, and it can be hard to know whether offsetting is the best (or the worst) action you can take to meet your net zero climate targets and promote climate change mitigation.

But as the UN confirmed, offsets are here to stay — and Sylvera is here to help you understand how they work and how to use them most effectively to help the planet.

Esta es nuestra guía definitiva sobre compensación de emisiones de carbono, y contiene todo lo que necesita para empezar. 

¿Qué es la compensación de emisiones?

A carbon credit is not necessarily a carbon offset. A carbon credit only becomes a carbon offset when used for carbon offsetting, i.e. when it's retired to compensate for a company or individual's greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). But carbon credits have uses other than carbon offsetting.

To understand carbon offsetting, it helps to first understand carbon footprints.

Everything you do releases carbon into the atmosphere — whether it's a Zoom meeting, buying the team lunch, or traveling to an industry event. A carbon footprint is measured by how many tonnes of carbon dioxide your lifestyle (or, in the corporate sense, your business's operations) puts into the atmosphere.

Carbon offsets act like the reverse of a carbon footprint. These projects help to either remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere or avoid additional carbon entering the atmosphere in the future. Individuals, companies, and governments can purchase carbon credits to compensate for the impact of their direct or supply chain emissions. Basically, for every tonne of carbon emitted, they can buy an equivalent tonne of carbon that's been removed or avoided to offset their own emissions.

Créditos frente a compensaciones

The terms carbon credits and carbon offsets are often used interchangeably, but they're not quite the same thing.

A carbon credit represents one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) avoided or removed from Earth's atmosphere. That's where the ‘carbon' in carbon offsetting comes from. It can also represent an equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas (GHG), measured in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

A carbon credit is not necessarily a carbon offset. A carbon credit only becomes a carbon offset when used for carbon offsetting, i.e. when it's retired to compensate for a company or individual's greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). But carbon credits have uses other than carbon offsetting.

Carbon credits are tradeable units sold by project developers. They're created to avoid, remove, or reduce carbon emissions in the Earth's atmosphere. Said carbon emissions could be created by burning fossil fuels, cutting down trees, or many other things. Each carbon credit represents one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) or an equivalent GHG that is or will be avoided or removed from the atmosphere. 

¿Cómo funciona la compensación del carbono?

If you're trying to achieve carbon neutrality, then your carbon offsetting process will work like this:

1. Se calcula la huella de carbono: Se miden las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero de una organización, producto, servicio, etc. (normalmente durante ese año natural). Lo ideal sería tener en cuenta todas las emisiones de las operaciones y la cadena de valor (ámbitos 1, 2 y 3), pero no siempre es así.

2. The credits are purchased: For each metric ton of CO2e, the organization purchases one carbon credit. These carbon credits are produced by carbon removal projects that remove GHGs from the atmosphere, like tree planting projects, or carbon avoidance projects that prevent GHGs from reaching the atmosphere in the first place, like renewable energy initiatives.

3. The credits are retired: The organization then “retires” or “cancels” the credits with the registry. This means that the credits cannot be traded again or claimed by anyone else, so the organization retiring the credits has the sole and permanent claim to the metric tons of Ce associated with those credits. As such, they can claim the environmental benefits as well.

If you're trying to achieve net zero, then your offsetting process will work like this:

1. Calcular la huella de carbono.

2. Aggressively reduce emissions within your operations and supply chains (with a goal to reduce emissions by 90% or more by a set date). Make more ambitious emissions cuts as the date gets closer.

3. A corto plazo, adquiera créditos de alta calidad para compensar cualquier emisión residual (pero sólo sobre el pequeño número de emisiones absolutamente inevitables que sigan generando las operaciones de su empresa).
4. ‍Créditos de jubilación.

Tipos de compensaciones por emisiones de carbono

There are many ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere and avoid more carbon entering the atmosphere. As such, voluntary carbon offsets fall into different categories and types.

Categorías de proyectos de carbono

Broadly, carbon credit projects fall into two categories: avoidance and reduction projects, and removals projects. Avoidance projects fund activities that prevent GHG emissions that would have otherwise been emitted. Examples include nature-based projects that protect forests from deforestation, and renewable energy projects that build solar farms to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels.

There is an ongoing debate about whether avoidance or removals projects are more effective. But in reality, both are essential in the fight against climate change. According to Sylvera’s Market Intelligence,  in 2025, removals credits make up 5% of carbon credit retirements. Avoidance credits make up 80% of retirements, and mixed credits (those that are categorised as sitting between both avoidance and removal) make up the remaining 15%.

Tipos de proyectos de carbono

There are a number of project types in the VCMs. They all fundamentally serve to either avoid, reduce or remove emissions, but may also have additional benefits.

‍Nature-based solutions

REDD+ (Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation): these projects protect existing forests from both planned and unplanned deforestation. That way, the forests can continue sequestering carbon—and the carbon stored isn't released back into the atmosphere.

ARR (Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation): these projects increase carbon stocks by planting or assisting the natural regeneration of woody biomass. Many ARR projects happen in developing countries, but not all of them. They can happen anywhere to help offset emissions.

IFM (Improved Forest Management): these projects increase net carbon stocks or reduce GHG gas emissions through changes in existing, or business as usual (BAU), forest management practices. The avoided emissions are then turned into offset credits to be traded on the VCM.

Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+: these are REDD+ projects that ensure all forests in a national (i.e. whole country) or subnational (e.g. state or province) jurisdiction are considered when setting a baseline and monitoring deforestation to accurately measure carbon reduction.

‍Agricultura regenerativa: estos proyectos aplican principios agrícolas que ayudan a restaurar y reactivar los ecosistemas circundantes.

‍Proyectos de carbono azul: protegen y reactivan los ecosistemas costeros y marinos

‍Technology-based solutions

RenovablesEstos proyectos añaden energía renovable a la red, como la eólica y la solar.

Captura directa del aire: proyectos que eliminan carbono directamente de la atmósfera mediante tecnología

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS): these projects capture CO2 emissions from industrial facilities and permanently store them in geological formations underground

Biochar: these projects convert agricultural waste or biomass into stable, carbon-rich char that is applied to soils for long-term carbon storage

Cookstoves: these projects distribute efficient cooking technologies that reduce fuel consumption and emissions in households relying on traditional biomass fuels

What are some examples of carbon offset projects?

He aquí algunos proyectos conocidos de compensación de emisiones de carbono en todo el mundo.

‍Katingan Peatlands

The Katingan Peatland Restoration and Conservation Project is a popular and high-quality APD project in Indonesia. This ecosystem restoration initiative is focused on a peat swamp forest in Central Kalimantan and is managed by Indonesian company PT. Rimba Makmur Utama.

Without carbon credit funding, Katingan peatlands might not exist today, as the project area was under threat of conversion before project implementation. But thanks to the conservation project, and the country's carbon crediting program, a new forest patrol and observation team have been introduced to monitor the project and implement ecosystem restoration activities.

Proyecto Guatecarbon

Project Guatecarbon's full name is Reduction of Emissions from Avoided Deforestation in the Multiple Use Zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala. The Guatemalan project is valid for 30 years, during which time it plans to reduce 37 million metric tons of CO2e. It is a REDD+ project that aims to protect regional forests from unplanned deforestation by farmers and ranchers, agro-exporting companies, and oil companies.

Sin el Proyecto Guatecarbon, los recursos forestales de la zona probablemente habrían sido destruidos por los actuales factores de deforestación, que influyen en los incendios forestales.

Orca y mamut, por Climeworks

The world's leading Direct-Air Carbon Capture (DAC or DACC) company is Climeworks. Climeworks runs two carbon capture projects (Orca and Mammoth) in Hellisheidi, Iceland. These direct air capture plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it permanently underground. To date, Climeworks has multiple well-known companies investing in its carbon removal credits, including Stripe, Microsoft, PwC, Square, and H&M.

¿Qué son los mercados voluntarios de carbono?

Carbon credits are traded on voluntary carbon markets (VCMs). Voluntary Carbon Markets are international markets that allow the sale, trade and purchase of carbon credits. Often credits are bought by emitters, including individuals and organizations, to allow them to offset their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

¿Está regulada la compensación del carbono?

Unlike compliance carbon markets, VCMs are not currently regulated by a centralized authority, such as a government. However, stricter requirements around transparency are emerging. For example, the SEC's draft guidance on climate-related disclosures suggests that organizations using offsetting will have to disclose a range of information about the credits they have bought and retired, as well as what other actions they are taking to mitigate their climate impacts (particularly emission reductions). This will increase public scrutiny of climate strategies, opening up reputational risks for organizations with low ambition climate strategies.

There are also an increasing number of initiatives offering guidance to organizations wanting to use offsets most effectively. Most recently, the VCMI (Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative) published a draft code of practice outlining how to use offsetting as part of a credible climate strategy.

¿Cómo ponen los promotores de proyectos los créditos en el mercado?

To bring credits to the carbon market, project developers must select relevant methodology from carbon certification bodies such as Verra and the Gold Standard and be validated by an auditor. These methodologies also require projects to demonstrate quality parameters such as additionality. Then, the project can appear on a carbon registry, and after that, developers monitor the project's activities to assess how many credits a project can generate once it has officially started. This monitoring report is verified by an auditor and published on the registry alongside other project documentation, and the credits are issued.

¿Es mala la compensación del carbono?

Over the years, companies have been called out for greenwashing when using carbon offsets instead of prioritizing the more difficult task of reducing emissions from their business activities.

También hemos visto ejemplos de proyectos de carbono de calidad inferior que han recibido inversiones de organizaciones, lo que ha dado lugar a escándalos de gran repercusión. Esto ha dado al mercado la reputación de ser de alto riesgo, pero en última instancia, pone de relieve que, en los mercados voluntarios no regulados, no todos los créditos de carbono son iguales.

"El sector ha tenido su ración de escándalos, con árboles fantasma sin plantar y proyecciones de referencia que crean expectativas desorbitadas sobre la cantidad de carbono que podría ahorrarse mediante la conservación de los bosques. La falta de transparencia, el uso de hipótesis poco sólidas y la escasa auditoría de los proyectos han hecho de las compensaciones un destino para los mercachifles, y todo el mundo ha salido perjudicado". - Sam Gill, cofundador y presidente de Sylvera

Although carbon offsets are imperfect, they're a crucial asset in the global transition to a greener future, and for supporting the developing world at the same time.

“If we're to have a hope of preventing catastrophic global warming, offsets must be one of several tools in our arsenal,” says Sam. “While land use is currently responsible for nearly a quarter of all global emissions, with careful stewardship it could become a carbon sink—capable of removing 20 years' worth of CO2 based on 2018 levels.”

Cuando los créditos de carbono de alta calidad se utilizan como parte de una estrategia climática más amplia alineada con las trayectorias cero neto y la jerarquía de mitigación, la compensación es una herramienta valiosa para aumentar la acción climática a corto plazo y acelerar la descarbonización global. Las compensaciones por sí solas no resolverán el cambio climático, pero son una herramienta vital de nuestro arsenal.

¿Cuánto cuesta compensar una tonelada métrica de CO2?

Los mercados voluntarios de carbono son mercados libres, lo que significa que el precio de un crédito de carbono (1 tonelada métrica de CO2) varía ampliamente, a menudo en paralelo con la calidad. La calidad de los créditos de carbono se refiere al nivel de confianza en que un proyecto realmente evita/elimina la cantidad de carbono que dice que elimina, y que el carbono no se habría evitado o eliminado sin su inversión en este proyecto.

Carbon credit prices vary dramatically based on project type and quality. Right now, nature-based solutions like REDD+ projects average around $7 per credit, while ARR (afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation) projects command approximately $24, and IFM (improved forest management) credits average $16. Technology-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects cost significantly more due to higher implementation costs and greater perceived durability—biochar projects average $177, while direct air capture (DAC) credits can exceed $500. 

Quality ratings directly impact pricing, with buyers typically paying an additional $5 per rating band for higher-rated ARR projects and $2 per rating band for REDD+ projects. This pricing differential reflects the market's growing recognition that high-integrity credits, verified by independent agencies, deliver more reliable carbon impact and reduce the risk of greenwashing accusations.

While many companies seek out lower-priced carbon credits, thinking that purchasing more for the same amount will make more impact on the planet, the reverse is more often the case. That's why we recommend working with a partner like Sylvera to assess the quality of your carbon credits, and if necessary, invest in fewer, high-quality credits, rather than purchasing a large number of low quality credits that don't make the impact you're looking for (and, in a worst case scenario, might see your brand accused of greenwashing).

¿Qué lugar ocupa la compensación de las emisiones de carbono en los objetivos empresariales de reducción a cero?

Using carbon credits has been a popular choice to help many companies achieve their climate goals, for a number of reasons. Unlike other approaches to corporate decarbonization, such as insetting, carbon credits provide an immediate way to make a climate contribution. The main work entails conducting proper due diligence to ensure you invest in high-quality projects. Rather than establishing their own projects, which can take years, companies can purchase carbon offsets virtually instantly through the voluntary carbon markets. 

Los créditos de carbono también son muy flexibles. Las empresas pueden comprar compensaciones hasta la tonelada métrica individual, lo que ofrece importantes oportunidades para aumentar o reducir cuando sea necesario. Las compensaciones pueden ayudar a las empresas a alcanzar sus objetivos climáticos más rápidamente, o a compensar las emisiones existentes mientras se centran en la descarbonización a largo plazo. Y, por último, la compensación ofrece a las empresas la oportunidad de diversificar sus inversiones climáticas e implicarse en toda una cartera de proyectos que les interesan.

When it comes to treating carbon credits as an investment, “the most strategic players are looking at moving upstream in the value chain and trying to secure quality supply ahead of time,” says Torsten Lichtenau, Senior Partner at Bain & Company. “Carbon credits are an asset and should be treated as such on the balance sheet.”

Pero a medida que aumenta el número de empresas que se declaran "cero emisiones netas", la demanda de créditos de carbono podría superar fácilmente a la oferta, disparando los costes y convirtiendo los compromisos climáticos en una responsabilidad financiera para algunas empresas. "Los actores más progresistas probablemente tengan una visión equilibrada", dice Torsten, "gestionando la responsabilidad, pero también invirtiendo en un activo creciente que es necesario para que el mundo se descarbonice."

Seguir la jerarquía de mitigación

Carbon credits play a crucial role in the private sector's ability to accelerate the global transition to net zero, but only as part of a strategic mitigation hierarchy. According to the SBTi, “purchasing high-quality carbon credits in addition to reducing emissions along a science-based trajectory can play a critical role in accelerating the transition to net-zero emissions at the global level.”

This means that offsetting is just one piece of an effective climate strategy. Although carbon neutrality can be achieved simply by offsetting existing greenhouse gasses, net zero (an increasingly popular goal) requires that a company first reduce emissions as much as possible before offsetting.

What's the difference between carbon neutral and net zero? Carbon neutral organizations compensate for, or offset, their emissions each year by purchasing and then canceling carbon credits. Setting a net zero target means committing to reduce GHG emissions as much as possible (usually by at least 90%) by a target date (generally no later than 2050, to align with global climate goals) and “neutralizing” any remaining emissions with removals credits (not just reduction/avoidance credits). Read more →

Margaret Mistry, Vicepresidenta de Mercados de Carbono de Equinor, lo explica: "[En Equinor] seguimos una jerarquía de mitigación", dice Margaret. "Primero evitamos, luego reducimos y sólo compensamos cuando se ha dado prioridad a otras medidas.

At Sylvera, we recommend companies follow the mitigation hierarchy. First, avoid creating additional carbon emissions (for example, if you're hosting an event for the first time, consider doing so online). Second, reduce the emissions you're already producing (for example, invest in energy-saving appliances, switch to providers offering renewable energy, and upgrade to electric vehicles). Finally, when you've done as much as possible to avoid and reduce your company's emissions, look for high-quality carbon credits to offset the difference.

¿Necesitamos una nueva palabra para las compensaciones de carbono?

The UN's COP27 report and the SBTi's Net Zero Standard recommendations on carbon offsetting echo a theme that is gaining popularity in carbon markets. Both emphasize the importance of beyond value chain mitigation (BVCM) which refers to contributing over and above the impact of your own value chains.

¿Qué hay más allá de la mitigación de la cadena de valor?

Rather than simply calculating and then ‘offsetting' the carbon emissions of your company and its value chain, you must think about contributing outside of your own operations. How and where else can your company leave a lasting and positive environmental impact?

This is why some people talk about needing a new word to replace ‘carbon offsets'. Perhaps ‘mitigation contributions' or ‘carbon donations' would be more appropriate.

At Sylvera, we fully support BVCM, and we encourage companies to think less about ‘offsetting' their operating emissions to become net zero or carbon neutral, but rather a non-negotiable way for companies to contribute above and beyond to a healthier planet.

¿Cómo deben evaluar las empresas los créditos de carbono?

The lack of regulation in VCMs means the quality of a project and credit can vary greatly depending on variables such as carbon performance, additionality, permanence, and co-benefits. These are the defining attributes of whether a project is of high quality or not. To thoroughly assess a carbon project's performance requires a significant amount of time and resources. Without proper due diligence, you could invest in poorly designed, low quality projects, which do not achieve meaningful climate impact or even harm communities and could result in significant financial loss and, reputational damage.

“[At Equinor] we fully expect to be scrutinized on the offsets we use, and as such we've got very high thresholds for quality in terms of what kind of offsets we will use,” says Margaret Mistry. “The thresholds include how the offsets are verified, what type of projects they relate to, whether they're also addressing community co-benefits, biodiversity and so on.”

Si un crédito no representa de forma fiable 1 tonelada métrica de emisiones de CO2e evitadas o eliminadas de la atmósfera, no se puede afirmar de forma creíble que compense las emisiones. Es esencial que las organizaciones lleven a cabo la diligencia debida para hacer esta afirmación con confianza.

There are four key factors to consider when conducting due diligence on carbon credits

• Resultados en materia de carbonoSe refiere a si un proyecto de carbono informa con exactitud sobre sus actividades de reducción o eliminación de carbono. Asegúrese de que el número de créditos que emite el promotor de un proyecto refleja la misma cantidad de carbono evitado o eliminado por el proyecto.
• Adicionalidadgarantiza que las emisiones que se evitan o eliminan a través de un proyecto concreto no se habrían evitado o eliminado sin los ingresos del carbono, además de cuantificar el riesgo de exceso de créditos.
• Permanencia: se refiere al grado de confianza en que el carbono evitado o eliminado permanecerá fuera de la atmósfera a largo plazo.‍
• Beneficios colateralesAlgunos proyectos de carbono ofrecen algo más que mitigación de emisiones: también promueven la biodiversidad y la salud de las comunidades locales. Busque beneficios colaterales siempre que sea posible.

Each of these factors is extremely difficult to quantify independently, and most firms won't have the tools, infrastructure, or access to the right data to do so in-house.

Our Market Intelligence helps buyers and investors avoid fragmented data with a unified view of pricing, quality, supply and demand data that enables confident decision-making in a complex market.

Cómo ayuda Sylvera a las empresas a invertir en créditos de carbono de alto impacto

La mejor manera de asegurarse de que está invirtiendo en créditos de alta calidad y alto impacto es trabajar con un socio de confianza como Sylvera.

Sylvera's independent ratings platform was designed to give sustainability leaders, traders and asset managers confidence in the VCMs. Our carbon project reports are comprehensive and accessible, and can be used by sustainability teams to help educate board members and other key decision-makers about specific carbon credit investments, their potential impact, and how to best manage the risks associated with the VCMs.

With Sylvera's carbon intelligence platform, you can:

• Save time and money on due diligence, and protect your organization's reputation
• Evite malas inversiones y oportunidades perdidas teniendo una visión de todo el mercado y comparando calidad y precio.
• Supervisar continuamente el rendimiento y los riesgos asociados a los proyectos de compensación de emisiones de carbono.

Sylvera's mission is to be a source of truth for carbon markets. We help corporate sustainability leaders, carbon traders and asset managers confidently evaluate and invest in the best carbon credits by providing comprehensive and accessible insights on carbon projects.

¿Qué nos diferencia?

Project-type-specific frameworks: We build rigorous frameworks and production systems for every project category to accurately test project design, carbon accounting, and climate impact claims. Sylvera's frameworks are peer-reviewed by a committee of experts and carbon market stakeholders – including project developers & registries – to ensure scientific consensus. We publish our frameworks so buyers understand exactly what we test and how we do it. Read our white paper for more information.

Profundidad y precisión sin precedentes: Extraemos, limpiamos y organizamos los datos de la documentación de diseño del proyecto (DDP) y de todos los informes de seguimiento. A continuación, elaboramos meticulosamente modelos de carbono, de solidez de la línea de base y de adicionalidad financiera desde cero para validar las declaraciones de reducción o eliminación de emisiones y evaluar la economía del proyecto. Nuestras evaluaciones de proyectos son las más completas del mercado, ya que ofrecen un análisis detallado de las principales características de los proyectos, visualizaciones de datos y mapas interactivos.

Sylvera utiliza múltiples tipos de datos para entrenar y ejecutar nuestros modelos de aprendizaje automático. Cada tipo proporciona datos diferentes, lo que nos permite detectar características específicas.

Validación independiente de datos: Nuestros expertos analistas aprovechan la tecnología avanzada de aprendizaje automático (ML), los datos verificados e independientes y los datos de campo propios para comprobar la precisión de las emisiones de crédito y las reclamaciones. Por ejemplo, utilizamos modelos ML geoespaciales líderes en el mercado cuando calificamos soluciones basadas en la naturaleza.

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