The practice of carbon offsetting is becoming increasingly popular among small companies, it has been suggested.

According to John Buckley, founder of Carbon Footprint, such organisations are offsetting "more and more", with many making enquiries as to how to reduce their carbon emissions further.

He said: "Tree planting is still very popular. I think people understand the mechanisms of how trees grow and take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere."

Mr Buckley went on to say that, in addition to tree planting, Carbon Footprint is also running a number of other projects, such as a wind farm in India.

The money paid by companies, as well as individuals, goes towards making sure that the farm gets developed and is looked after, he added.

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, carbon offsetting is a way of compensating for emissions produced with an equivalent saving in carbon dioxide.