offset
OFF-set
/ˈɒfset/
To counteract something by having an equal and opposite force or effect.
In climate terms, it refers to paying for a reduction in emissions elsewhere to compensate for your own emissions.
The story behind the word. The term comes from the idea of 'setting' one thing 'off' against another on a balance scale. It moved from physical mechanics to accounting, and finally to environmental science.
Word relationships
- counterbalance: Counterbalance is more physical; offset is more common in financial and environmental accounting.
- aggravate: To aggravate is to make a situation worse, whereas to offset is to neutralize the negative effect.
Commonly confused with
- reduction: Reduction means producing less in the first place; offset means making up for what you did produce.
Word family
- offsetting (noun): The practice of balancing emissions.
Collocations
- carbon offset
- offset emissions
- offsetting scheme
Example sentences
- "Airlines offer to offset your flight by investing in reforestation projects that absorb an equivalent amount of CO2." Corporate sustainability strategies.
Memory hook
Think of a seesaw: you put a 'bad' thing on one side and 'offset' it with a 'good' thing on the other to keep it level. Balancing the scales.
When not to use
Do not use it when you are actually reducing your own emissions; it only applies when you balance them out through external actions.
Fun facts
- The first carbon offset was recorded in 1989 when an American power company funded a forest project in Guatemala.
Related words
Explore more words
compensate, balance, trade-off, reciprocal, mitigate, mitigation
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