Description
Book SynopsisGreenhouse gas (GHG) offsets have long been promoted as an important element of a comprehensive climate policy approach. Offset programs can reduce the overall cost of achieving a given emission goal by enabling emission reductions to occur where costs are lower. Offsets have the potential to deliver sustainability co-benefits, through technology development and transfer. They can also develop human and institutional capacity for reducing emissions in sectors and locations not included in a cap and trade or a mandatory government policy. However, offsets can pose a risk to the environmental integrity of climate actions, especially if issues surrounding additionality, permanence, leakage, quantification and verification are not adequately addressed. The challenge is to design offset programs and policies that can maximize their potential benefits while minimizing their potential risks.
This handbook provides a systematic and comprehensive review of existing offset programs. It
Trade Review
'The most comprehensive guide available to carbon offset programs around the world.'
Derik Broekhoff, Vice President, Policy, Climate Action Reserve
'This handbook is the most comprehensive guide available to carbon offset programs around the world. An invaluable aid for anyone seeking to make sense of the global thicket of offset standards, rules, and systems, both voluntary and regulatory.'
Derik Broekhoff, Vice President, Policy, Climate Action Reserve
'This reference work provides a uniquely comprehensive collection of facts and analysis on the numerous offset mechanisms in play across the world. I recommend it to anyone interested in the issue of offsets.'
Jean-Jacques Becker, Assistant Director, French Ministry of Energy, Ecology and Sustainable Development
'A must-have resource for state and local policymakers interested in developing offset policies and programs.'
Janice Adair, Special Assistant, Washington State Department of Ecology
'SEI is establishing itself as the 'go-to' source for comprehensive, unbiased information about the rapidly changing field of greenhouse gas offsets. This book will be an extremely valuable reference in a field where the lack of reliable data is a continual challenge.'
Alexia Kelly, Senior Associate, Climate and Energy Program, World Resources Institute
'A uniquely comprehensive compendium on greenhouse gas offset programs throughout the world. And a wonderful reference for anyone from project developers to treaty negotiators.'
Michael Gillenwater, Dean, Greenhouse Gas Management Institute
'This book provides a comprehensive overview of existing greenhouse gas offset programs with a keen eye to issues, options and alternatives. Policy makers, stakeholders and those interested in the development of a comprehensive market for greenhouse gas emission reductions, will find it a useful reference.'
Janet Peace, Vice President for Markets and Business Strategy, Pew Center on Global Climate Change
'This book provides an excellent overview of the rules for offsetting projects in different programs around the globe. It should be a definitive reference for anyone who wants to understand the key issues and differences in the various offsetting schemes.'
Lambert Schneider, Oeko-Institut
Table of ContentsIntroduction
A Comparison of Offset Programs
International Offset Mechanisms
Offset Features of Cap and Trade Systems
Offset Features of Other GHG Systems
Greenhouse Gas Accounting Protocols
Voluntary GHG Standards
Carbon Offset Funds
Glossary
References
