Calculator: the cost of offsetting your Carbon Footprint

Jan 28, 2025

3 min read

3 min read

A river delta from above

Introduction

More 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.

A definition of a carbon credit alongside a description of the issuance process

Want to dive deeper? Read our guide:

👉 What Are Carbon Credits? Meaning, Examples and How to Use Them

What are the factors influencing the price of carbon credits

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 (e.g. Gold Standard of Verified Carbon Standard)

  • The region and co-benefits (e.g. biodiversity, social impact)

  • Market dynamics like supply and demand

A list of the main factors that influence the price of a voluntary carbon credit

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

Introduction

More 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.

A definition of a carbon credit alongside a description of the issuance process

Want to dive deeper? Read our guide:

👉 What Are Carbon Credits? Meaning, Examples and How to Use Them

What are the factors influencing the price of carbon credits

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 (e.g. Gold Standard of Verified Carbon Standard)

  • The region and co-benefits (e.g. biodiversity, social impact)

  • Market dynamics like supply and demand

A list of the main factors that influence the price of a voluntary carbon credit

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

Introduction

More 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.

A definition of a carbon credit alongside a description of the issuance process

Want to dive deeper? Read our guide:

👉 What Are Carbon Credits? Meaning, Examples and How to Use Them

What are the factors influencing the price of carbon credits

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 (e.g. Gold Standard of Verified Carbon Standard)

  • The region and co-benefits (e.g. biodiversity, social impact)

  • Market dynamics like supply and demand

A list of the main factors that influence the price of a voluntary carbon credit

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FAQs

How can I be sure the carbon credits aren't contributing to greenwashing?

All of our projects are carefully selected, based on four-step Quality Framework.

  • A track record in removing or reducing CO2 emissions;

  • A positive impact on biodiversity;

  • Social impact: creating jobs for local communities;

  • Data transparency: our projects have a real, measurable and verifiable impact.

Each project is vetted against 100+ data points, including assessments by independent rating agencies like BeZero and Renoster. This ensures we only offer the top 5% of climate projects globally—delivering measurable climate impact and meaningful social co-benefits.

How can I be sure the carbon credits aren't contributing to greenwashing?

All of our projects are carefully selected, based on four-step Quality Framework.

  • A track record in removing or reducing CO2 emissions;

  • A positive impact on biodiversity;

  • Social impact: creating jobs for local communities;

  • Data transparency: our projects have a real, measurable and verifiable impact.

Each project is vetted against 100+ data points, including assessments by independent rating agencies like BeZero and Renoster. This ensures we only offer the top 5% of climate projects globally—delivering measurable climate impact and meaningful social co-benefits.

How can I be sure the carbon credits aren't contributing to greenwashing?

All of our projects are carefully selected, based on four-step Quality Framework.

  • A track record in removing or reducing CO2 emissions;

  • A positive impact on biodiversity;

  • Social impact: creating jobs for local communities;

  • Data transparency: our projects have a real, measurable and verifiable impact.

Each project is vetted against 100+ data points, including assessments by independent rating agencies like BeZero and Renoster. This ensures we only offer the top 5% of climate projects globally—delivering measurable climate impact and meaningful social co-benefits.

What makes Regreener different fromt other carbon credit suppliers?

Unlike traditional providers, Regreener assesses over 100 data points for every single project. This rigorous analysis allows us to handpick only the top 10% of impact projects worldwide.

Whether your focus is on regional impact, social benefits, or price we curate a custom portfolio of 3–5 high-impact projects from our elite pool—aligned with your priorities.

What makes Regreener different fromt other carbon credit suppliers?

Unlike traditional providers, Regreener assesses over 100 data points for every single project. This rigorous analysis allows us to handpick only the top 10% of impact projects worldwide.

Whether your focus is on regional impact, social benefits, or price we curate a custom portfolio of 3–5 high-impact projects from our elite pool—aligned with your priorities.

What makes Regreener different fromt other carbon credit suppliers?

Unlike traditional providers, Regreener assesses over 100 data points for every single project. This rigorous analysis allows us to handpick only the top 10% of impact projects worldwide.

Whether your focus is on regional impact, social benefits, or price we curate a custom portfolio of 3–5 high-impact projects from our elite pool—aligned with your priorities.

What is a carbon credit?

A carbon credit is a tradable certificate that represents the removal or reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Companies, governments, and individuals can buy carbon credits to offset their own emissions, supporting projects like reforestation, renewable energy, or methane capture.

What is a carbon credit?

A carbon credit is a tradable certificate that represents the removal or reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Companies, governments, and individuals can buy carbon credits to offset their own emissions, supporting projects like reforestation, renewable energy, or methane capture.

What is a carbon credit?

A carbon credit is a tradable certificate that represents the removal or reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Companies, governments, and individuals can buy carbon credits to offset their own emissions, supporting projects like reforestation, renewable energy, or methane capture.

Why are nature projects more expensive then others projects?

Nature-based projects—like reforestation, forest conservation, or mangrove restoration—are often more expensive than technology-based carbon offset projects because they involve complex, long-term ecological and social processes. These projects require large areas of land, continuous monitoring, and collaboration with local communities to ensure the protection and regeneration of ecosystems.

Additionally, nature projects often deliver extra benefits beyond carbon removal, such as biodiversity protection, water conservation, and improved livelihoods for local populations. These co-benefits add value but also increase the cost of project development, certification, and ongoing maintenance.

Why are nature projects more expensive then others projects?

Nature-based projects—like reforestation, forest conservation, or mangrove restoration—are often more expensive than technology-based carbon offset projects because they involve complex, long-term ecological and social processes. These projects require large areas of land, continuous monitoring, and collaboration with local communities to ensure the protection and regeneration of ecosystems.

Additionally, nature projects often deliver extra benefits beyond carbon removal, such as biodiversity protection, water conservation, and improved livelihoods for local populations. These co-benefits add value but also increase the cost of project development, certification, and ongoing maintenance.

Why are nature projects more expensive then others projects?

Nature-based projects—like reforestation, forest conservation, or mangrove restoration—are often more expensive than technology-based carbon offset projects because they involve complex, long-term ecological and social processes. These projects require large areas of land, continuous monitoring, and collaboration with local communities to ensure the protection and regeneration of ecosystems.

Additionally, nature projects often deliver extra benefits beyond carbon removal, such as biodiversity protection, water conservation, and improved livelihoods for local populations. These co-benefits add value but also increase the cost of project development, certification, and ongoing maintenance.

Download our Project Brochure

Join 200+ companies making impact with Regreener

Download our Project Brochure

Join 200+ companies making impact with Regreener

Download our Project Brochure

Join 200+ companies making impact with Regreener