Wilderness International

CO2 compensation

Offsetting CO2 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 preventing further CO2 emissions in a comprehensible way.

We are convinced that it is more urgent and effective to preserve intact natural areas before it is too late. After all, large amounts of carbon are stored in the living biomass of these areas. On top of that, 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 store the same amount of CO2 as 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.

Calculate your CO2 footprint

Whether you are a private individual, an office or a medical practice - we currently offer three specialized, free CO2 calculators and more are being added regularly. You can use them to calculate, analyze and reduce CO2 emissions easily and free of charge.

Afterwards you can offset the CO2 footprint directly by protecting valuable rainforest!

10 - 15 % of all annual CO2 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

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

What does it cost to offset 1 ton of CO2?

With a donation of 16.70€, you can offset one ton of CObecause each square meter in our protected areas stores an average of 60 kg of CO2. 1 m2 of rainforest can be forever protected with a 1€ donation. That way, you ensure that the carbon in the biomass of the forest is not released, but remains permanently stored.

From a global perspective, old-growth 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, and biodiverse ecosystems.

Wilderness International