Compulsory versus voluntary compensation
In Switzerland, power stations and companies with high greenhouse gas emissions, such as cement or chemical producers, are obliged to participate in the EU emissions trading system. The companies receive or buy emission allowances, and they can trade them with one another. Medium-sized companies can join the scheme voluntarily.
Carbon offsetting is also available at the individual level. Many platforms - such as the UN Carbon offset platform or myclimate.ch - allow people to calculate their carbon footprint and choose to donate to reforestation or renewable energy projects, for example.