How Much Do Carbon Offsets Cost in 2026?

Carbon offsets typically cost from a few pounds to £40+ per tonne of CO₂e in 2026, depending on project type, certification, vintage and co-benefits. Renewable-energy credits sit at the low end; nature-based removal and Gold Standard projects with strong community benefits command premiums. There is no single “price of carbon” — you are buying a specific project's tonnes.

What drives the price

• Project type. Avoidance (renewables, cookstoves) is usually cheaper than removal (reforestation, afforestation).
• Standard. Gold Standard's mandatory SDG co-benefits typically price above comparable Verra credits.
• Vintage. Recent vintages generally cost more than older ones.
• Co-benefits & location. Jobs, health, biodiversity and high-demand geographies add premium.
• Volume. Larger purchases improve per-tonne pricing.

Budgeting it properly

Start from your measured tonnes (use the CO₂ calculator), decide the split between avoidance and removal, and price the portfolio — not a single number. Beware prices that look too good: unverifiable credits are cheap because they can't survive an audit.

What you get with Evertreen

Evertreen quotes per project and standard — Verra and Gold Standard — retires credits in your name with documentation, and can blend in geolocated tree planting from £1.5/tree for visible, growing removal alongside the audited tonnes.

Frequently asked questions

How much does 1 tonne of CO₂ offset cost? Commonly from a few pounds for avoidance projects to £40+ for premium removal/co-benefit projects — project, standard and vintage decide.

Why are some credits so cheap? Lower-cost project types and older vintages — legitimate — or missing certification, which is a red flag.

Is tree planting cheaper than buying credits? Different products: trees (£1.5 each with Evertreen) build long-term removal and engagement; credits deliver audited tonnes now. Many businesses budget both.