Offsetting FAQs

What is offsetting?
Offsetting is balancing out CO₂ emissions by taking action to reduce the overall amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by an equal amount. This can be done either by avoiding the release of CO₂ or other greenhouse gases in the first place, or by removing it from the atmosphere (carbon sequestration). Approximately the same quantity of emissions as those released by your flight is neutralised through one of ClimateCare's projects. This is done by selling ‘offsets' to you.

How do ClimateCare's projects ‘offset' the CO₂ emitted?
ClimateCare's projects avoid, reduce or absorb greenhouse gases through:

• Renewable Energy - cutting out fossil fuels
• Energy Efficiency - using less energy

You can find out more information about the projects that ClimateCare funds by following the links on the right.

Does ClimateCare use tree planting to offset?
Planting trees cannot be seen as a solution to climate change when taken in isolation. Climate change needs to be addressed by reducing emissions through developing renewable fuel sources or boosting efficiency, rather than on focusing on sequestration.

Climate Care FAQs

Who is ClimateCare?
ClimateCare is a business unit of JPMorgan, selling CO₂ reductions and funds projects around the world that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The reductions made balance clients' emissions.

Is Climate Care Trust a charity?
No. ClimateCare does not believe it should be left to the charitable sector to clear up pollution. The Trust is a company limited by guarantee. In return for the capital, management, office space and support needed to get the Trust going, it pays a fixed royalty of 10% of its turnover to Climate Care Ltd, a company with a number of private individuals as shareholders. The purpose of this structure is to reduce the potential for a conflict of interest between the commercial and environmental aims of such an organisation.

Would the projects have happened anyway?
ClimateCare is very careful only to fund projects that would not have happened without their support. In technical language, they are "additional".

How can I be sure that ClimateCare's projects are making the CO₂ reductions that they claim?
ClimateCare ensures that the projects achieve the CO₂ emissions that they claim, meeting three criteria for each project, these are:

• that a third party report be obtained
• that the CO₂ reductions be monitored on an ongoing basis
• that any shortfall is made up in other projects

What about projects in the UK?
It is very difficult to do projects in the UK that are not helping the government to reach the emissions reductions targets it has committed to make under the Kyoto Protocol (the international agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions). Most of ClimateCare's projects are therefore in the developing world. If it does a project in the UK it is very careful to ensure that the emissions reductions are not 'double counted'.

Where does ClimateCare get its data for the CO₂ emissions calculator?
ClimateCare commissioned a report from Oxford University's Environmental Change Institute, and this forms the basis of our Air Travel Calculator. There are currently some scientific uncertainties surrounding the calculation of emissions from air travel, so Climate Care frequently reviews the science behind the calculator.

Air Travel FAQs

When I fly, am I contributing to climate change?
Yes. Aircraft operations generate carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, a direct greenhouse gas, and other effects in the atmosphere for which there is less scientific understanding, linked to ozone generation, methane reduction and cirrus cloud formation.

Am I offsetting emissions for the whole plane?
No. You are just paying for your share. CO₂ emissions per person are estimated by dividing the total fuel used on a journey by the number of passengers.

When flying from the UK I pay a departure tax, so why should I pay ClimateCare?
Air Passenger Duty is a passenger tax levied by the Government on all departures from the UK and generates almost £1 billion annually. However, the money isn't spent directly on mitigating the greenhouse gas emissions from your flight, whereas you payment to Climate Care is.

Will I get anything from ClimateCare?
Yes, they will send you a certificate by email, within 7 days of your purchase, saying how much you have offset. Your name will not be added to any other mailing list and your details will not be passed on to any third parties.