ABSTRACT
This introduction presents some key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims at a broader section of the offsets community than previous publications, including government decision makers, corporate leaders, politicians, academics, policy makers and business students, as well as everyday practitioners of offsets in government and industry. It provides theoretical discussions to offsets and consists of 14 case studies on offsets practice around the world. The book discusses the rationale for offsets backed by a theoretical underpinning. It is an ongoing debate as to whether offsets should be continued or disbanded. There is no definitive answer, but later in the book the author argues that the effectiveness of offsets relies not on offsets strategy and policy but on its implementation. The chapter discusses the costs and benefits of offsets from supplier and buyer perspectives. It also discusses the varying perspectives that exist within the offsets fraternity.
