Carbon avoidance projects focus on preventing the release of greenhouse gases that would otherwise occur from human activities. These projects avoid emissions by tackling the sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases before they are emitted into the atmosphere, helping to limit the overall amount of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.

An example of this would be a forest protection project like REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). In this type of project, deforestation and forest degradation are prevented, which in turn avoids the release of carbon stored in trees and soil. When forests are preserved or restored, the carbon that would have been released from logging or land-use changes is considered avoided emissions.