The purpose and impact of CO2 compensation
The negative effects of operating IT and datacenters are extensively discussed in the media and the solution offered often reads: compensate your CO2 emission. By offsetting CO2 emissions, it gives the impression we are running the IT-platform more sustainably. Some organisations even claim to be carbon neutral, but can this claim be correct as we are still emitting CO2 when the platform is running? What does CO2 emission entail exactly, what actually happens when we compensate and is there any positive impact?
This is how it works
Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly (or indirectly) support human activities such as driving a car, taking a flight or using gas at home. The total amount of greenhouse gases is normally expressed as carbon dioxide, or CO2 as we know it. When you drive your car or take a flight, the engine burns fuel which creates an amount of CO2. Even when you turn on your radiator at home or when you cook dinner, you generate CO2.
These CO2 emissions have an extremely negative effect on the environment and cause global warming. Especially in the datacenter industry, a really high number of greenhouse gasses are emitted. In order to turn the negative into something positive, tools were developed to calculate and neutralise carbon footprints by investing in projects that reduce or avoid carbon emissions.
Carbon offset schemes allow people to invest in environmental projects worldwide to compensate their carbon footprint. These projects are developed to reduce future emissions and are often located in developing countries. There is a fee per ton of CO2 attached to compensate the carbon footprint. At Remore, we help you reach that goal to become compensated for your emission.