A short guide to carbon offsetting

Abstract

Reducing material consumption remains the focus of the structural engineer’s response to the climate emergency. However, until we reach a point where construction materials can be produced for zero (or negative) emissions over and beyond their entire lifecycle, the construction of structures will always result in net emissions of carbon. As such, some form of offsetting will be required in order to reach net zero, and it is our responsibility to guide good decision making around offsetting whenever we can. High-quality offsetting can bring many positive outcomes: the world needs more forests and peat bogs, and there are many countries in need of emission-reduction technologies. And so, in the short term at least, quality offsetting schemes give the opportunity for clients to invest positively in the future of humanity.