Organisational Attitudes and Preferences Towards Forest Carbon Offsets in Spain’s Carbon Footprint Registry

This study investigates organisations’ offsetting decisions and their preferences for forest carbon removal projects within the Spanish Carbon Footprint Registry. Drawing on an online survey with 249 valid responses, it analyses the psychological and economic factors shaping these decisions and preferences. The survey incorporates a questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour to assess the role of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and perceived trust and risk in offsetting decisions. A Discrete Choice Experiment further elicits preferences for forest project attributes. The findings highlight the central role of subjective norms and attitudes in driving organisational engagement with carbon offsetting. Notably, decision-making patterns vary between high and low GHG emitters: while high emitters are primarily influenced by internal attitudes and enjoy greater autonomy in their offsetting choices, low emitters are more constrained by external expectations from clients, investors, and competitors. The study also identifies a strong preference for domestic afforestation and reforestation projects, particularly those using native species, underscoring the importance of market segmentation in voluntary offsetting strategies. This study offers valuable insights into the determinants of corporate engagement in forest carbon removal projects, providing evidence to inform strategies and policies that promote participation in voluntary carbon markets.