carbon credit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Not exactly. A carbon credit is a generic term for a tradable certificate representing an emission right or reduction. A carbon offset typically refers to a credit generated by a project that reduces emissions elsewhere, used to 'offset' one's own emissions. All offsets are a type of carbon credit, but not all carbon credits are used for offsetting (e.g., allowances in a cap-and-trade system are not offsets).

Credits can be issued by regulatory bodies under government schemes (like the EU ETS), by international mechanisms (like the UN's CDM), or by private certification standards (like Verra's VCS) for the voluntary market.

Yes, primarily through voluntary offset retailers when booking flights, through energy providers, or directly from project developers. Individuals do not typically participate in regulated compliance markets.

Retiring a credit means permanently removing it from circulation in a registry so it can never be traded or used again. This is done when the credit is used to claim an emission reduction or offset. It ensures the same reduction is not counted twice.

A tradable certificate or permit representing the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide or an equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas.

Carbon credit is usually formal / technical / business / environmental in register.

Carbon credit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.bən ˌkred.ɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːr.bən ˌkred.ɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.