Offsetting everyday activities takes fewer credits than you think, at less cost than you might expect.
Below are three ways to calculate how many credits you might need to offset common activities, from most general (quickest!) to most precise (requiring a little more time and effort to calculate).
1) Use this table of general averages:
While we’re in beta, we’re working on these averages and will add them as we calculate them. Two important caveats: 1) They are very broad averages and 2) Links to our “show your work” calculations detailing how we arrived at these numbers will soon follow.
| Category | Item | Credits required to offset | Cost (assuming $10/credit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto | 1 year of car use, commuter | 7 | $70 |
| Auto | 1 year of car use, working from home | 4 | $40 |
| Auto | Roadtrip, per 1,000 miles | 1 | $10 |
| Entertainment | Film or TV location shoot, per day | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| Entertainment | Live performance, per 100 audience members | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| Event | Conference (travel, lodging and event), per 100 attendees | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| Event | Local meetup, per 100 attendees | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| Household | Total household offset for 1 year, per household member | 25 | $250 |
| Shipping | Domestic package | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| Shipping | International package | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| Travel | 7-day cruise | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| Travel | Domestic round-trip airline ticket | 1 | $10 |
| Travel | International round-trip airline ticket | 3 | $30 |
| Travel | Reunion (travel, lodging and event), per attendee | Coming soon | Coming soon |
2) Use a carbon offset calculator
There are many to choose from. See an overview of available carbon credit offset calculators on this blog post: Guide to Online Carbon Emissions Calculators.
3) Work with a carbon footprint consultant
A consultant who is an expert in carbon footprinting can help guide you when you have a more complex activity you want to offset, or want more precision in your offset calculations. Evergreen Carbon is our recommended consultant and you can contact them directly to get the process started.
The case for rounding up
If you’re pleasantly surprised by how inexpensive it is to buy carbon credits to offset everyday activities, we invite you to round up a bit. Offset your family, your neighbors, your company, your past years. We have one planet. These projects are helping. Thanks to your purchase of carbon credits to help fund them, you are too.