Carbon offsetting refers to an action or activity (such as the planting of trees or carbon sequestration) that compensates for the emission of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. A carbon offset occurs when an individual company or organisation directly or indirectly (by funding carbon-offset projects locally or internationally) removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere or prevents a certain quantity of greenhouse gases from being released.
While the concept is common in sustainability circles, 2021 will see more mainstream consumers and brands jump on the carbon offsetting bandwagon. With the emergence of apps and programs that have made carbon offsetting just clicks away, carbon offsetting is set to go mainstream and public.