A compensation for carbon dioxide emissions resulting from industrial or other human activity; a quantifiable amount of such compensation as a tradable commodity.
Origin
1990s.
carbon offset1
noun
An action intended to compensate for the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a result of industrial or other human activity, especially when quantified and traded as part of a commercial program.
purchasing the carbon offsets would contribute to the airline's commitment to reducing its environmental impact
as modifierthe company has been awarded carbon offset credits for its forest conservation project
carbon offset2
noun
A compensation for carbon dioxide emissions resulting from industrial or other human activity; a quantifiable amount of such compensation as a tradable commodity.