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Carbon Balancing Application in Cities' Net Zero Journey
15 Jul 2025The new guide published by ICLEI (Local Governments Network for Sustainability) reveals how carbon offsetting can be a complementary tool for cities to achieve their climate goals and how to manage this process reliably.
Approximately 72 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions occur from urban sources. This makes city governments key actors in the fight against climate change. ICLEI – Local Governments Network for Sustainability, which aims to increase the contribution of local governments to global climate goals, has published the Practical Application Guide on Carbon Offsetting. The guide aims to contribute to cities reaching their net zero targets faster by balancing their inevitable emissions.
The guide, prepared in line with ICLEI's Climate Neutrality Framework, emphasizes that carbon offsetting will not replace direct emission reduction, but underlines that it can only be used as a complementary solution after all other mitigation measures have been implemented.
In the guide; In carbon balancing projects, principles such as transparency, environmental integrity, social benefit, compliance with high quality standards, protection of biodiversity and empowerment of local communities come to the fore. It is stated that cities can invest in projects not only within their own borders but also in other regions. However, it is emphasized that such projects should provide additional contribution and create long-term effects.
ICLEI also warns about the abuse of carbon offsetting, greenwashing and excessive use of offsetting. In this context, attention is drawn to the necessity of robust audit mechanisms and third-party certification processes.
One of the exemplary applications of the guide is Turku, Finland, which aims to be carbon neutral by 2029. The city is strengthening its carbon sink capacity by limiting logging in urban forests and increasing protected areas. However, the existence of legal and structural challenges such as private ownership reveals the need for clearer policy guidance at the local level.
ICLEI's recommended approach is to support strong local emission reduction strategies with effective and reliable carbon offset practices. Thus, cities can contribute more effectively to national and global climate goals and build more durable structures for a sustainable future.
Source: Clean Energy
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