Carbon Offsetting FAQs

Carbon offsetting gives companies or individuals a tool to compensate for the greenhouse gases (GHG) produced from your energy use (your carbon footprint).

This is done through purchasing carbon credits and investing in projects that give an equivalent reduction of emissions elsewhere in the world.

Carbon offset fuel doesn’t require any modifications to your engines or special measures to use the fuel. There is no difference to the fuel itself; instead, the little extra you pay goes towards funding carbon-reducing initiatives across the world, effectively counteracting the carbon released from using the fuel.

A carbon offset is a credit that allows you to invest in projects around the world, providing an equivalent reduction in emissions to ensure there’s no net increase in global greenhouse gas emissions. All of our credits are a transactable environmental unit which represents 1 tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) created by projects which are validated to a recognised third-party carbon standard.

With every fuel order, whether that be red diesel, white diesel or kerosene, you can offset the associated carbon emissions that you can’t avoid or reduce. You’ll pay a little more per litre of fuel, which goes directly towards projects that compensate for the carbon impact of your fuel usage.

1. Simply ask your account manager about offsetting your fuel, each time you place an order
2. Based on the delivery size, we’ll calculate your carbon offset contribution and add it to your final bill
3. Your contribution goes towards verified global projects such a wind farms and tree planting
4. You’ll receive a certificate to prove that you’re doing your bit to reduce your environmental footprint

A carbon footprint is the total amount of indirect and direct carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions released by the activities of an individual or organisation.

Carbon offsetting projects are usually based in developing countries and are designed to reduce future emissions as well as to care for local communities to provide employment, health benefits, reforestation and biodiversity. Examples include:

• Renewable energy projects, e.g. building wind farms that replace coal-fired power plants
• Purchasing and ripping up carbon credits from an emissions trading scheme
• Tree planting activities to soak up CO₂ directly from their air (carbon sequestration in soils or forests)
• Energy-efficiency improvements e.g. additional insulation in buildings to reduce heat loss or switching to more-efficient vehicles for transport

Carbon offsetting provides a mechanism to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the most cost-effective and economically-efficient manner. While it plays a key role in tackling climate change, it’s not the sole solution. Crown Oil is committed to moving beyond achieving PAS 2060:2014 carbon neutral status and is actively setting targets for the business to achieve net zero carbon emissions

Offsetting has some value in helping fight climate change, but it is only one of the many climate solutions needed to achieve net zero emissions.

Carbon offsets are calculated by using the CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) conversion factor for a specific fuel type and quantity.

CO₂e is a metric used to convert the overall effect of greenhouse gases (including CO₂ and NO_x) into an equivalent amount of CO₂ with the equivalent global warming potential.

All liquid fuels have a CO₂e conversion factor, so whilst offsets are measured and calculated in terms of CO₂, the carbon offset calculation does also comprise the global warming impact of all GHG associated with the fuel.

Yes, our credits are Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and meet the offsetting part of the PAS 2060 guidance on carbon neutrality to provide full transparency and assurance on our carbon neutral claims.

Crown Oil’s projects are verified against the international standards such as the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Gold Standard and Certified Emission Reductions.

Offsetting your fuel orders is an easy way to help you reduce the environmental impact from your energy use.

No, carbon offset fuels are the same fuels as red diesel, DERV, kerosene or any other fuel you decide to offset. This means the fuel grade itself is completely unchanged – you simply pay a small premium to compensate for the carbon impact of the fuel.

Speak to a member of our team to find out how much offsetting your fuel delivery will costs.

You won’t be able to choose a specific project but we only work with trusted offsetting partners that are verified by all the required standards and bring real benefits for communities and the environment.

Yes, we’re proud to offset our entire emissions across the Group. Not only this, but our fleet is also run on HVO fuel, with any remaining emissions continuing to be offset, effectively making our company carbon neutral!

Crown Oil achieves carbon neutral status >>

Carbon neutral means not increasing carbon emissions and achieving carbon reduction through offsets. Whereas net zero carbon means making big changes to reduce carbon emissions to the lowest possible amount – and offsetting as a last resort.

Net zero vs carbon neutral >>