Carbon offsets compensate for the emissions you can’t reduce by funding projects that draw down global greenhouse gas emissions. These projects prevent carbon from being emitted (e.g., by protecting forests from destruction) or absorb carbon from the atmosphere (e.g., by storing it in rocks, soil, or the ocean). For every ton of carbon emissions a project reduces or removes, a credit is created. These credits become offsets when a person or organization purchases them to compensate for their emissions, and they should only be purchased once, then permanently retired.

Carbon removal projects absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere by planting trees, accelerating the natural process by which rocks absorb carbon, or transforming plant matter into carbon rich materials to store in soils or underground. Carbon avoidance projects prevent carbon from being emitted by protecting natural carbon sinks from destruction or destroying potent gases. Both result in fewer emissions in the atmosphere. Short-term solutions are more readily available at scale today, which is why the Oxford net-zero principles recommend gradually shifting toward long-term removal over time.

High-integrity offsets meet rigorous carbon integrity standards: they should be measurable, verified by an independent third-party, transparently sold and retired only once, permanent, and only occur as a result of the funding coming from offsets. Commons continuously evaluates projects against these criteria and more, to only support projects for which the carbon outcomes are aligned with the best interests of ecosystems and local communities (e.g., improved soil health,  improved nutrients and crop yields, de-acidified rivers, quality jobs).  We only support projects that meet our standards, and remove projects if they start failing to meet them.

The cost to offset a flight depends on the flight's emissions and the portfolio price per ton. For example, a Phoenix-Chicago economy flight emits about 440 kg CO₂e per passenger. With Commons' $35/ton Balanced Portfolio, offsetting that flight costs roughly $15.

Standard offset purchases through Commons are not tax-deductible. However, through our partnership with Terraset  (a 501c3 nonprofit), you can make a tax-deductible donation that funds the same vetted projects. You receive a tax receipt, Terraset grants the funds to Commons, and Commons retires the credits on your behalf. The only difference is you cannot make a net zero or carbon neutral claim.

Commons' custom offsetting services are designed for family offices and high-net-worth individuals seeking professionally managed, high-integrity climate portfolios aligned with their values. These services are ideal for buyers who want access to vetted, early-stage carbon removal projects and diligence and portfolio management aligned with net-zero goals—whether to compensate for direct emissions or to complement existing philanthropic activities.

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To learn more, contact kristina@thecommons.earth.

Yes. Commons offers customizable tools for event offsetting, especially offsetting flight emissions to and from events. For custom event or institutional solutions, contact kristina@thecommons.earth.

Carbon neutrality means balancing a defined set of emissions (e.g., from a product, trip, year of operations, or lifestyle) with an equivalent amount of carbon offsets, so net emissions over that time period are zero. To claim carbon neutrality, you measure your emissions, reduce what you can, then purchase and retire verified carbon credits to compensate for the remainder. Carbon neutrality focuses on achieving a zero balance within a specific scope and timeframe.

Net zero means achieving a balance between emissions and removals across your entire footprint, with an emphasis on deep absolute emissions cuts first, then using primarily long-duration carbon removal to neutralize only hard-to-eliminate residual emissions. To make a credible net-zero claim, you must demonstrate significant, ongoing reductions in your actual emissions and increasingly shift your offset portfolio toward permanent carbon dioxide removal. The Oxford Principles recommend portfolios transition toward 100% removal by 2050, making net zero a more ambitious, future-focused commitment than carbon neutrality.