Wilderness International

CO2 compensation

CO2 compensation through old-growth forest protection?

When you hear the word "offset," the first thing that comes to mind is that emitted CO2 is absorbed somewhere else. This is the case with some projects. In fact, however, many offsetting approaches are also based on absorbing further CO2-emissions in a comprehensible way.

We see it as more urgent and effective to preserve intact natural areas before it is too late. After all, large amounts ofCO2 are bound in living biomass in these areas. And they have many other important functions for a healthy climate. Find out here why old-growth forest is our most important buffer against climate change. 

CO2 storage

The world's forests and peatlands absorb just as much CO2as is present in the entire atmosphere. When such carbon-rich ecosystems are destroyed, they release more CO2 than it would ever be possible to sequester again in a period of time relevant to humans.

Wilderness International

Because deforestation affects the climate.

When a forest is cut down, the carbon stored in it is released by the use of the wood and the rotting of the branches, leaves and roots. Sooner or later, every tree that is taken out of the forest rots or is burned; whether as paper recycled seven times over or furniture inherited for years. A carbon stock that has built up over thousands of years in the biomass of the forest thus re-enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide within a very short time. There, the CO2 acts as a greenhouse gas and accelerates global warming.

Forest loss

Every year, 12.2 million hectares of tropical forest are cleared. Another 13 million hectares of boreal, subtropical and temperate forests are added year after year. That's 25.2 million hectares of destroyed forest annually - an area equivalent to the size of Great Britain.

Wilderness International

10 - 15 % of all annualCO2 emissions are caused by forest destruction and the draining of forest peatlands. This means that the loss of forest area has a much greater impact on the atmosphere than, for example, the worldwide aviation sectorwhich accounts for 3.6% of emissions.

Wilderness International

Bill Murray

GHOSTBUSTER

What does it cost to offset 1 ton ofCO2?

The compensation of 1 ton ofCO2 costs 16,70€ donation. Because in our protected areas are bound on each square meter ø 60 kgCO2. 1m2 of rainforest you can protect forever with one Euro donation. In this way you ensure that theCO2 bound in the biomass of the forest is not released, but remains permanently bound.

CalculateCO2 footprint

No matter if you are a private person, an event or a company - we offer more than a dozen specialized, freeCO2 calculators. With them you can easily calculate, analyze and reduceCO2 emissions for free.

Afterwards you can offset theCO2 footprint directly by protecting valuable rainforest!

to theCO2-Calculator to theCO2-Calculator

From a global perspective, virgin forests are our most important buffer against human-induced climate change. Protecting them is a top priority if we want to save the climate.

Kai Andersch

Forest Scientist & Chairman of the Board

Wilderness International

Time to say thank you.

To nature. For all the free services with which it so naturally gifts us every day and without which our lives would be impossible.

Together, we are giving back to nature by preserving and protecting the last intact, high-carbon, biodiverse ecosystems.

Wilderness International