As the world works to reduce GHG emissions and tackle climate change, carbon offset programs have become a crucial tool for individuals and businesses. These programs help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by supporting projects that mitigate environmental harm, such as planting trees and promoting sustainable travel.
By investing in carbon offsets, companies and individuals can offset their carbon footprint, making a positive impact on the planet. Whether through carbon checkout systems or funding reforestation efforts, these programs offer an accessible way to actively contribute to a more sustainable future.
Explore 25 of the best carbon offset programs available globally.
What are Carbon Offset Schemes?
Carbon offset schemes provide a mechanism for organisations to address their carbon emissions by investing in projects aimed at reducing or capturing greenhouse gases.
Some examples of carbon offsetting projects include reforestation, renewable energy, and clean cookstoves, delivering environmental benefits while supporting communities. By purchasing carbon credits, organisations can neutralise emissions they cannot yet eliminate and contribute to global sustainability.
A specific example is the partnership between British Airways and carbon offsetting projects. British Airways encourages its customers to offset their flight emissions by funding verified reforestation and renewable energy initiatives, which have offset millions of tonnes of CO₂ over the years.
While carbon offsetting is not yet mandatory in the UK, it should be in the near future so that companies and those in the private sector cannot continue to contribute to climate change without taking responsibility for mitigating their impact. By making carbon offsetting a standard practice, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint and help accelerate global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions.
Types of Carbon Offset Programs
Types of carbon offset programs include nature-based solutions like reforestation, peatland restoration, and soil carbon sequestration; technological solutions like carbon capture and storage (CCS); renewable energy projects; energy efficiency and clean cooking initiatives; methane capture; and community-based projects.
Each type addresses carbon emissions through various methods, supporting both environmental and social goals.
Compulsory Vs Voluntary Offsetting Schemes
Involuntary carbon offsetting schemes must be undertaken by companies and individuals when meeting regulatory or governmental requirements. For instance, the EU ETS (EU Emissions Trading Scheme, which some companies have to buy to either cover or offset emissions. These programs are enforced by government bodies to ensure industries comply with emissions reduction goals.
On the other hand, voluntary carbon offsetting schemes are optional, where organisations and companies can decide to offset emissions to meet corporate sustainability targets, such as Verra’s VCS (Verified Carbon Standard).
UK Carbon Offset Programs
Woodland Carbon Code (WCC)
Established in 2011, the UK Woodland Carbon Code is aimed at forestry businesses, UK landowners, plus any businesses needing to offset carbon.
They work by certifying woodland creation projects which will be absorbing CO₂ over time, usually involving afforestation or reforestation. Credits are validated to ISO standards and governmentally backed.
When a credit is purchased, woodlands must be secured for a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 100 years—meaning some projects secure carbon for a century.
Website: https://www.woodlandcarboncode.org.uk/
Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
Energy Company Obligation (ECO) launched in January 2013, managed by Ofgem (Office of Gas and Energy Markets) on behalf of the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero.
ECO is a government energy efficiency scheme that obligates larger energy suppliers (such as British Gas or E.ON) to deliver energy efficiency measures like insulation upgrades or boiler replacements in low-income households. This is because they are vulnerable, hence more susceptible to fuel poverty and high energy costs.
The project runs across Britain and has around £1 billion funded annually, through a levy on energy bills (the Green Levy).
Since 2013, ECO has had significant results, delivering over 3.5 million energy efficiency improvements to around 2.4 million homes and helping to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs for vulnerable households.
Website: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/energy-company-obligation-eco
UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS)
Recognised by global institutions like the World Bank, Emission Trading Schemes set caps on the total amount of emissions a company can emit within an annual period.
This follows a cap-and-trade mechanism, which works by first setting a total cap on the emissions for specific sectors—such as 1 million tonnes of CO₂ within a year.
ETS ensures emissions are capped and reduced over time while allowing companies flexibility to trade allowances, encouraging both environmental progress and cost-effective compliance.
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/participating-in-the-uk-ets/participating-in-the-uk-ets
Peatland Code
Established in 2015, the UK Peatland Code is aimed at UK landowners, conservation groups, and any business seeking carbon offsets.
They work by certifying peatland restoration projects which will be absorbing CO₂ over time, with restoring degraded peatlands and rewetting. Many peatlands in the UK have been drained for development and agriculture, or peat has been extracted for garden compost and fuel. Peatlands are significant carbon stores, and their restoration is vital not only for carbon sequestration but also for climate resilience and biodiversity.
The programs operate across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and have had success in restoring thousands of hectares of peatland, improving biodiversity, enhancing water quality, and sequestering significant amounts of carbon.
Website: https://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/peatland-code-0
Gold Standard UK Projects
Gold Standard is a premium carbon offset certification established in 2003 by WWF, alongside SouthSouthNorth and Helio International.
It operates globally but is based in Geneva, Switzerland, used by NGOs, governments and any businesses seeking high-quality credits with simultaneous strong ESG impact.
While more expensive, the premium credits are highly regarded, with project types involving energy efficiency, renewables, clean cookstoves, water access, waste management and more.
Website: https://www.goldstandard.org/
Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) UK Projects
Launched in 2005 by Verra, a non-profit based in Washington, D.C., USA. VCS is for governments, NGOs and businesses globally to purchase well-validated carbon offsets.
Their range of projects include forestry, renewables, soil and blue carbon, industrial emission reduction, as well as community-based projects.
They are stringently verified by third-party auditors, ensuring high-quality offsets, with credits ranging from $5 – $200 depending on project quality and credibility. (The more expensive credits may also add PR value by supporting endangered species or repairing critical habitats, for instance, making it a better investment for ESG).
Website: https://verra.org/programs/verified-carbon-standard/
Carbon Neutral Britain
Established in 2020, Carbon Neutral Britain offers a range of carbon offsetting programs from individual plans to comprehensive business solutions. While based in the UK, their carbon projects are thriving worldwide, such as the Reforestation Programme in Nicaragua having planted 360,000 trees.
Recognised as a leading initiative, Carbon Neutral Britain helps companies across the world achieve carbon targets by providing verified carbon credits and funding certified offset projects. Their funds feed into the programs, allowing businesses to compensate for their emissions while supporting global sustainability efforts.
Beyond reducing carbon, their projects aim to support sustainable development, enhance biodiversity, and improve the livelihoods of local communities.
Website: https://carbonneutralbritain.org
Carbon Footprint Ltd Offsetting Projects
Carbon Footprint Ltd was founded in 2005 as a privately-held consultancy for carbon offsetting and management. They uniquely allow businesses to fund UK tree planting projects as well as carbon reduction projects abroad such as clean cookstoves in Kenya. This method works as it ensures both local biodiversity improvements and global carbon reductions, while also delivering social and economic benefits to communities.
The carbon programs are used by a range of organisations and individuals such as British Airways or Balfour Beatty, with tree planting starting at £5 per tree. Following strict VCS / Gold Standard criteria, credits are assured permanence, meaning long-term environmental benefits are secured.
Website: https://www.carbonfootprint.com/carbonoffsetprojects.html
Forest Carbon
Founded in 2006, Forest Carbon has since helped create over 13 million trees in the UK. These trees must be secured for at least 30 years, with many projects lasting up to 100 years, meaning that millions of tonnes of carbon will be captured.
The programs work closely with landowners, local planning authorities, and businesses to establish new woodlands for carbon, and the offsetting element is that businesses purchase verified Woodland Carbon Code credits to compensate for their emissions by funding these afforestation projects.
With over 300 projects, Forest Carbon has large-scale clients such as Network Rail and Microsoft, with prices starting at £15-30 per tonne of carbon stored.
Beyond reduction, the organisation essentially supports biodiversity and creates habitats for native wildlife—notably so the Doddington North woodlands in Northumberland.
Website: https://www.forestcarbon.co.uk/
ClimateCare
ClimateCare was one of the early pioneers of the voluntary carbon market as they began developing carbon reduction projects back in 1997 in Oxford, UK.
It’s used by a range of businesses, NGOs, and governments as they consistently deliver high-integrity credits by ensuring projects meet rigorous third-party standards like Gold Standard and Verra.
Projects include clean cookstoves, safe water access, renewable energy, and nature-based solutions and focus heavily in Africa, Asia, and South America.
Beyond carbon, they deliver crucial social benefits including gender empowerment, by reducing the burden on women and children who would otherwise spend hours collecting firewood or boiling water, improving health outcomes, and creating local employment opportunities.
In Ghana, their Gyapa Cookstoves Project has distributed millions of fuel-efficient stoves, reducing widespread emissions.
Website: https://www.climateimpact.com/
Ecologi
Ecologi differs, offering a subscription model for organisations to become “carbon positive”, allowing them to offset emissions effortlessly through a monthly plan. Starting at just £4.70, the monthly fee covers tree planting and verified carbon reduction projects.
With tree-planting and other carbon offsetting schemes, Ecologi boasts a range of projects across the UK, Asia, and South America, and is used by Vodafone plus Just Eat.
With over 70 million trees funded, Ecologi has prevented millions of tonnes of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere. Though tree-planting permanence is medium, other renewable projects provide verified, long-term carbon reduction through Gold Standard and VCS-certified initiatives.
Website: https://ecologi.com/
The Conservation Volunteers Carbon Offsetting
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) started in 1959 as a conservation charity, with their carbon offsetting schemes launching in 2008. With a focus on engaging communities in environmental conservation, their projects benefit the environment as well as local communities by providing enriching volunteering opportunities.
The UK-based non-profit allows organisations and individuals to offset their footprint, and they can purchase credits by donating through TCV’s website. With various projects throughout the UK in both urban (e.g., Glasgow’s Green Gym initiatives) and rural (e.g., habitat restoration in the Scottish Highlands), their ethos is to aim to connect green spaces with people.
Their John Muir Way project in Scotland is notable for enhancing biodiversity along the trail and providing green skills training to local communities.
Website: https://www.tcv.org.uk/climate/
My Carbon Plan
Founded in 2020, My Carbon Plan is the only scheme exclusively focused on UK-based carbon offsetting projects. Based in Harpenden, the projects range across the UK, involving tree-planting, carbon sequestration, and other innovative offsetting schemes like soil carbon enhancement and biochar production.
Also a subscription model, individuals can offset footprints from £5.50 a month. Funds go into woodland creation projects or peatland restoration initiatives, ensuring long-term carbon sequestration while delivering biodiversity and environmental benefits.
Website: https://www.mycarbonplan.org/
Trees for Life
Trees for Life were established in Scotland in 1993, with projects aiming to rewild 500,000 acres in the Caledonian Forest.
Led by a team of conservationists and ecologists, the work is run by volunteers and is funded by donors via a subscription model. Individuals can offset footprints from £6 per tree. Funds go into native tree planting or rewilding projects that restore degraded habitats.
The initiative is highly successful, with over 2 million trees planted, securing long-term carbon sequestration while enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
Website: https://treesforlife.org.uk/
International Carbon Offset Programs
Gold Standard
Beyond their UK operations, Gold Standard is a significant, global certification standard.
While they don’t have any projects themselves, they are significant in the space as they set rigorous sustainability criteria and verify carbon offset projects to ensure real impact. This means that hundreds of projects across more than 80 countries are using Gold Standard to demonstrate credibility and ensure high environmental and social integrity.
The process works by project developers designing and implementing carbon offset projects, undergoing third-party verification, and meeting Gold Standard criteria, and finally, Gold Standard-certified credits are granted. These are highly regarded as premium-quality offsets, and help companies, governments, and individuals achieve credible emissions reductions.
Website: https://www.goldstandard.org/
Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)
With over 2,000 projects in over 88 countries, VCS is the biggest voluntary carbon market standard on Earth.
Run by Verra, a non-profit organisation based in Washington, D.C., VCS helps verify and certify carbon offset projects on a major scale. It’s used by governments, NGOs, corporations, and project developers across the globe. This covers a wide breadth of projects, from extensive REDD+ rainforest conservation to blue carbon, soil carbon, and waste management.
Over 75% of voluntary carbon market transactions use VCS because of its rigorous verification process, global acceptance, and credibility in ensuring high-integrity carbon reductions.
Website: https://verra.org/programs/verified-carbon-standard/
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
The Clean Development Mechanism allows developed nations like the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan to invest in emission reduction projects in developing countries like India or Brazil.
Established in 1997 and operational since 2001, CDM today is highly significant due to its role in shaping global carbon markets and enabling large-scale emissions reductions in developing nations.
As they are governed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the oversight and verification process rigorously managed to ensure compliance with international climate goals.
Website: https://cdm.unfccc.int/
American Carbon Registry (ACR)
The American Carbon Registry was the first ever private carbon registry in the world; launched in 1996 in Virginia, USA. They laid the foundation for today’s carbon credit systems, still a major player in the market.
The ACR works by developing rigid protocols to ensure emissions are certified in many ways such as scientifically.
All projects must follow their methodology, adopting a range of approaches such as agriculture, industrial gas destruction, methane reduction and carbon capture.
Website: https://acrcarbon.org/
Climate Action Reserve (CAR)
Climate Action Reserve (CAR) was established in 2001 called the California Climate Action Registry (then rebranded to CAR in 2008). Based in LA, the reserve mostly serves North American businesses, governments, and organisations.
Credits are high-quality and stringently compliant, ensuring emissions are both genuine and permanent. This includes forestry, agricultural methane capture, industrial gas destruction, carbon capture, and more.
Their credits are widely accepted within compliance markets, as rigorously validated.
Website: https://www.climateactionreserve.org/
Plan Vivo
Plan Vivo was founded not long after in 1997, Edinburgh, Scotland. Focusing on community-led carbon projects worldwide, they are a key standard for nature-based solutions, ensuring both carbon sequestration and social benefits.
Plan Vivo operates by certifying projects that follow strict sustainability principles, supporting forestry, agroforestry, soil carbon, and ecosystem restoration. They often work with rural communities and smallholder farmers to achieve long-term environmental and social impacts.
Website: https://www.planvivo.org/
The Nature Conservancy’s Offset Programs
Based in Arlington, Virginia, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) operates various successful international carbon offsetting programs, including the Family Forest Carbon Program and debt-for-nature swaps.
They’ve funded large-scale conservation efforts, such as the $1.5 billion debt-for-nature swap in Ecuador, which allocated $460 million for Amazon rainforest protection. Active in over 70 countries, from the United States to Brazil, TNC is widely recognised for a thorough, scientific approach leading to many successful projects.
Beyond carbon reduction, TNC projects boost biodiversity by restoring natural habitats and support local economies by providing sustainable livelihoods.
Website: https://www.natureconservancy.ca
Terrapass
In 2004, a group of students from the University of Pennsylvania established Terrapass— a consumer-focused carbon offset provider. Since then, it’s grown to become a well-known voluntary carbon offset provider.
With project locations mostly in the US, including landfill gas capture sites, wind farms, and methane reduction projects, Terrapass offers carbon offset solutions and sustainability consulting for businesses and individuals engaging in voluntary emissions reduction.
They work by partnering with verified projects so that carbon reductions are credible and align with established standards like Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). This allows them to offer reliable offsets while supporting diverse environmental initiatives.
Website: https://terrapass.com/
Cool Effect
Cool Effect is one of the most transparent offsetting platforms, with it routinely ensured that over 90% of every dollar goes straight to the carbon projects. This is not the case for many other offsetting programs, making Cool Effect a standout in terms of financial transparency and direct project impact.
Founded in the US in 2015, it’s run by a nonprofit organisation based in Greenbrae, California, dedicated to climate action. Projects across the globe range from renewables and clean cookstoves to methane reduction, reforestation, and blue carbon initiatives.
Website: https://www.cooleffect.org/
Atmosfair
Atmosfair revolves mainly around flight-related emissions, with prime customers like Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, and various travel companies.
Established in 2005 in Germany by a non-profit, it is funded by voluntary offset payments that may cover airline emissions, individual travel emissions, and corporate footprints.
The projects include sustainable development, energy efficiency, and renewable energy with consistent emphasis on long-term permanence and high quality.
Their projects aim to bring co-benefits such as job creation, clean energy access, health improvements (reducing indoor air pollution), gender equality, and more.
Website: https://www.atmosfair.de/en/
Pachama
Established in San Francisco in 2018, Pachama is both a carbon offset program creator and a verifier, as they partner with forest conservation, reforestation, and afforestation projects but also use AI and remote sensing technology to monitor and verify their effectiveness.
Individuals and organisations use Pachama to offset their carbon emissions, with a focus on tropical forest projects across Brazil, Peru, and Indonesia.
Projects are secured long-term to ensure sustained carbon sequestration, and also help with biodiversity preservation, community empowerment, soil health, and water regulation.
Website: https://pachama.com/
Measuring the Effectiveness of Carbon Offset Programs
Carbon management programs must possess a range of these qualities to ensure their effectiveness, as it’s crucial that carbon reductions are real, measurable, and verifiable.
Importantly, permanence—if the carbon isn’t permanently stored or avoided, the project loses its value. Projects should use safeguards like buffer pools to account for reversals and ensure long-term sequestration.
Beyond this, monitoring and verification—projects must be rigorously tracked and assessed to ensure they’re actually reducing carbon because of additionality (they must provide reductions that wouldn’t have happened otherwise).
Effective projects should have third-party standards and certifications such as Gold Standard, Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), or Plan Vivo to ensure their integrity and credibility.
Overall, a range of factors contribute towards the success of carbon offset programs, from environmental impact to social and economic benefits.
More Information
https://www.mycarbonplan.org/post/uk-carbon-offset-providers-and-schemes
https://www.comparethemarket.com/energy/content/carbon-offsetting-for-businesses
https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0713
https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/carbon-offsets-2023/mapped.html
https://carboncredits.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-understanding-carbon-credits