Homonym: Offset (Adjustment)
An "offset" refers to a way of balancing or counteracting something. In finance, for example, it can mean reducing a liability by having an equal asset. This helps businesses manage their financial health by ensuring that losses in one area can be compensated by gains in another.
In environmental discussions, "offset" often relates to carbon emissions. Companies may invest in projects that reduce carbon dioxide, like planting trees, to offset their own emissions. This means that while they may produce some pollution, they are also taking steps to help the planet, creating a balance between their activities and environmental health.