Love a Tree Day: What do you need to know about tree planting to offset carbon?

The 16 May 2022 marks Love a Tree Day in the UK. Tree planting is one way to offset carbon that lots of companies utilise to neutralise any carbon positive actions. But what exactly is carbon offsetting and how can we use trees to absorb carbon we create?

What is carbon offsetting?

Offsetting is a tool used by individuals and organisations to balance their carbon footprint and neutralise any actions that may release carbon into the atmosphere. Some people choose to offset all their carbon emissions, however others choose certain activities, which emit a larger amount of carbon than they would use on a regular basis. For example, an individual going on holiday once a year may choose to offset the carbon from their flights.

What is Net Zero?

Balancing carbon emitted with carbon removed is known as Net Zero and is an aspirational goal for those wishing to reduce the impact of climate change. One of the most effective ways to do this is by planting trees that will eventually absorb the amount of carbon that the actions created.

How do I work out my carbon emissions?

Before deciding to offset your carbon emissions it’s helpful to know an estimation of your current carbon footprint. The WWF Footprint Calculator asks questions related to eating habits, travel, and home life, and based on this calculates your expected carbon footprint.

How can I offset my carbon emissions using tree planting?

You don’t have to be a large company to get involved in carbon offsetting. Platforms such as Ecologi offer a subscription service that allow users to sign up to their service for as little as £4.70 per month. Their starter package plants eight trees per month on your behalf and removes three tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year. Ecologi carry out multiple carbon reduction projects and are certified to a Gold Standard. Their mission is “to avoid 50% of projected global emissions by 2040,” whilst providing an accessible platform for individuals to help the planet. You can track the trees you’ve planted by viewing your virtual forest with Ecologi.

Is carbon offsetting the solution to climate change?

Carbon offsetting is a great asset that we can use to reduce the impact of climate change however, it is not the primary solution. To stop the impacts of carbon emissions we need to reduce the amount of carbon we create rather than simply offsetting it. We can do this by stopping deforestation and investing in carbon neutral solutions for transport and energy.