You don't need a corporate sustainability team to buy carbon credits. Several reputable providers sell directly to individuals, with transparent pricing and verified projects.
Individual-Friendly Providers
| Provider | Verification | Price Range | Individual Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Standard Marketplace | Gold Standard | $15-40/ton | ✓ |
| Terrapass | Various (VCS, CAR) | $10-20/ton | ✓ |
| Native Energy | Gold Standard, VCS | $12-25/ton | ✓ |
| Climeworks | Direct air capture | $250+/ton | ✓ (subscription) |
| Wren | Various verified | $15-25/ton | ✓ (subscription) |
How Much to Buy
The average American produces about 16 tons of CO2 per year. At $15-25/ton, fully offsetting your annual footprint costs roughly $240-400/year. Many people start by offsetting specific activities:
2-3 tons
Round-trip cross-country flight
~$30-75 to offset
4.6 tons
Average car per year (gasoline)
~$70-115 to offset
7-8 tons
Average home energy per year
~$105-200 to offset
Red Flags
- Credits priced under $3/ton — too cheap for verified quality
- No verification standard listed or vague 'certified' claims
- Projects that would have happened anyway (no 'additionality')
- No public registry where retired credits can be verified
- Pressure tactics or 'limited time' pricing