Introduction
As the urgency to tackle climate change grows, more people and organizations are looking for practical ways to reduce their environmental impact. One increasingly popular solution is carbon offsetting—a way to balance unavoidable emissions by supporting projects that remove or reduce greenhouse gases elsewhere.
But how much does it actually cost to offset your carbon footprint?
Whether you’re a traveler trying to compensate for a flight, a business aiming for Net Zero, or just someone exploring climate solutions, this article breaks down the basics of carbon credits, how offsetting works, and how to estimate what you might need to pay. And yes - we’ve included a free carbon credit calculator to help you figure it out.
What does it mean to offset your carbon footprint?
Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases—primarily carbon dioxide (CO₂)—that you’re responsible for. It includes emissions from travel, electricity use, heating, food consumption, shipping, and more.
Carbon offsetting is the process of compensating for these emissions by purchasing carbon credits, which represent verified climate action. Each credit equals one metric ton of CO₂ that has been avoided, reduced, or removed from the atmosphere through a certified project.
Offsetting doesn’t erase your emissions, but it balances them—making it a valuable tool alongside actual reductions like using clean energy or driving less.
What are carbon credits and how do they work?
Carbon credits are certificates issued by climate projects—such as reforestation, renewable energy, or carbon removal technologies—for every metric ton of CO₂ they prevent or extract.
These projects must meet strict criteria for additionality, permanence, and third-party verification. Reputable standards such as the Gold Standard, Verra (VCS), and Puro.Earth certify that the emission reductions are real and traceable.
Once credits are issued, individuals or companies can buy and retire them—removing them from circulation so that no one else can claim the climate benefit.
Want to dive deeper? Read our guide:
👉 What Are Carbon Credits? Meaning, Examples and How to Use Them
How Is the cost of offsetting calculated?
There’s no fixed price for a carbon credit. Instead, prices vary based on factors like:
The type of project (e.g. renewable energy vs. direct air capture)
The certification standard used
The region and co-benefits (e.g. biodiversity, social impact)
Market dynamics like supply and demand
On the voluntary carbon market, prices typically range from €8 to €25 per ton. High-quality carbon removal credits—especially those from innovative technologies—can cost even more.
For example, a simple forest protection project may issue credits for around €10–12 per ton, while direct air capture credits might exceed €200 per ton due to the cost and complexity of the technology.
Most reputable platforms (such as Regreener or Pachama) price their credits in the €10–€150 range, depending on impact and traceability.
Try the Free Carbon Offset Calculator
Curious what it would cost to offset your Scope 1-2-3 emissions.
Our free calculator helps you estimate:
How many carbon credits you need
The total cost based on market averages
The climate impact of your offset
Enter your estimated emissions (in metric tons of CO₂) below, pick your preffered project and the tool does the rest.
Should you offset all of your emissions?
Ideally, carbon offsetting should complement - not replace - efforts to cut emissions at the source. That’s why leading initiatives like the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) recommend using carbon credits only for residual emissions—the portion that cannot be eliminated immediately.
Still, voluntary offsetting can be a powerful bridge. It allows individuals and businesses to take immediate climate action while working toward deeper structural change.
Just be sure to:
Prioritize high-quality, transparent credits
Use a trusted platform (e.g. Regreener, Carbonfuture)
Communicate clearly and honestly about what you are offsetting—and why
