Carbon Footprint Offsetting through Credits

What carbon footprint offsetting through credits is

Offsetting a carbon footprint through credits consists of neutralising the greenhouse gas emissions an organisation has been unable to avoid, by acquiring an equivalent number of tonnes of CO2 absorbed by removal projects (forest sinks) registered in the applicable carbon footprint registry. It is a voluntary mechanism that acts on residual emissions, always after the reduction plan has been applied, reduction being the priority in both technical and regulatory terms.

In Spain, Spanish Royal Decree 214/2025 regulates this offsetting: it is only valid through removal projects registered in the Spanish carbon footprint registry (MITECO, Spain's Ministry for the Ecological Transition) that offer transfer to third parties, and it requires the organisation's own carbon footprint to be registered beforehand. Other countries and voluntary markets operate comparable schemes with their own registries and rules.

When it applies

• When an organisation with its footprint already calculated and registered wants to achieve “offset footprint” status and the corresponding seal.
• For events, products or services that want to communicate themselves as carbon-neutral with respect to their residual emissions.
• As part of a corporate climate strategy that combines internal reduction with offsetting of what cannot be avoided.

How it works

1. Prior calculation and registration of the footprint in the carbon footprint registry.
2. Selection of a registered removal project that offers the transfer of tonnes to third parties.
3. Acquisition of the required tonnes of CO2 (minimum 1 tonne), formalised through an agreement with the project holder.
4. Registration of the offset in the registry, which updates the organisation's seal.

Important considerations

• Offsetting does not replace reduction: it is complementary and applies to the emissions that could not be avoided.
• Removal projects must meet criteria of permanence, additionality and absence of carbon leakage.
• Offsetting through the national carbon footprint registry is not valid for meeting the obligation to surrender allowances under the emissions trading scheme (in Spain, Law 1/2005): these are distinct mechanisms.

Why choose Ideas Medioambientales

We support organisations through the entire process of offsetting their carbon footprint: from calculating and registering the footprint to selecting the removal project and registering the offset in the Spanish carbon footprint registry, in line with RD 214/2025. We always prioritise the real reduction of emissions over offsetting.

Tell us the status of your carbon footprint and we'll advise you on how to offset your residual emissions in a valid and rigorous way.