Is there a difference between carbon offset and carbon credit?

Yes, there's a difference between a carbon offset and a carbon credit. They're similar, but it's key to know the difference when talking about efforts to fight climate change. A carbon credit is a digital certificate that stands for the removal of one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) from the atmosphere. These credits are made by projects that help lessen greenhouse gases (GHGs), like creating renewable energy, planting trees, or improving energy efficiency. On the other hand, a carbon offset is when a person or a business pays for carbon credits to make up for their own GHG emissions. By buying these credits, they can balance out their own emissions and support projects that reduce or remove GHGs from the air.