Passage: 'Carbon offsetting' is a practice where individuals or companies invest in environmental projects to balance out their own carbon emissions. Common projects include reforestation, renewable energy development, and methane capture. For a business, offsetting can be a key part of a 'Net Zero' strategy, allowing it to claim carbon neutrality even if its core operations still produce some greenhouse gases. However, the practice is controversial. Critics argue that carbon offsets can be a form of 'greenwashing,' allowing companies to pay for environmental damage rather than actually reducing their own emissions. There are also concerns about the 'additionality' of projects; if a forest was going to be protected anyway, buying offsets for it does not actually provide a new environmental benefit. To be credible, carbon offset programs must be verified by third parties and should only be used as a supplement to direct emission reductions, not a replacement for them.