Reduce your carbon footprint

The data is based on consumer adjusted data when available, otherwise on the non-adjusted data. CO₂ emissions are typically measured on the basis of ‘production’. This accounting method – which is sometimes referred to as ‘territorial’ emissions – is used when countries report their emissions, and set targets domestically and internationally. In addition to the commonly reported production-based emissions statisticians also calculate ‘consumption-based’ emissions. These emissions are adjusted for trade.
Read more on consumer based emissions

Traditional carbon offsets are typically a trade of pollution rights. If done in a transparent way, this trade will at best result in a short-term emissions reduction but never lead to the zero and negative emissions that we need to keep global heating in check. What Climeworks does is fundamentally different. Rather than trading avoided emissions, we physically remove carbon dioxide emissions that are difficult to otherwise avoid.

Climeworks' carbon dioxide removal is further fully measurable, as every ton of carbon dioxide removed from the air and stored underground can be precisely measured using standard industry measurement equipment.

We love trees and believe many more should be planted. We need more trees and we need direct air capture.

If done well, afforestation comes with a number of important benefits such as reduced soil erosion and increased biodiversity. However, afforestation is a solution that cannot be scaled indefinitely, because it requires lots of water and surface area. Also, the permanence of the removed CO₂ cannot always be guaranteed with trees: wildfires or deforestation can destroy the trees and release the CO₂ back into the atmosphere. Sadly, for decades, humans have cut down trees rather than plant them (source). Hence, based on the learnings history, betting on afforestation (i.e. planting more trees) as the only solution to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is a risky approach. Direct air capture is a complementary approach to planting trees. Carbon dioxide removal via direct air capture is highly scalable as it requires only a small physical footprint. Further, it is fully measurable and permanent. It is much faster, too: if trees are planted, it will typically take at least 10 years (source) until the CO₂ is removed from the air. Climeworks’ carbon dioxide removal takes between 2 and 5 years to be completed.

On the carbon dioxide removal confirmation you will receive in your account we state the amount of carbon dioxide that has been ordered for removal in your name. No one else can put a claim to that amount. We can exactly measure how much carbon dioxide our collectors capture from air, so we know exactly how much carbon dioxide has been removed in your name.