As new standards for carbon offsetting are launched, Matthew Weaver looks at the idea behind the scheme
Thursday January 18, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
It is an idea for reducing the impact of carbon dioxide emissions from everyday activities such as driving cars, heating homes and flying. The emissions from such activity are calculated by a carbon offsetting provider and then paid for through a donation to a project that reduces carbon by the equivalent amount.
Example?
Tony Blair's recent return family trip to Barbados created 11.33 tonnes of CO2. He would need to pay £84.96 to offset those emissions.
What kind of projects would donations pay for?
Energy efficiency schemes such as installing energy saving devices in houses; renewable energy schemes such as wind farms; or tree-planting schemes that can take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Who is offsetting carbon?
All official government air travel is being offset, and increasingly politicians are being urged to offset their private travel too. Mr Blair was forced to offset the emissions from his family trip after he received widespread criticism for admitting that he had no intention of reducing his personal flights. Companies are also turning to carbon offsetting to improve their green image. Marks and Spencers said it would purchase carbon credits as part of its £200m plan to go carbon neutral. The founders of the popular travel guides Lonely Planet and Rough Guides have also donated money to offset the flights their staff make in compiling their guides.
Why is it in the news?
The government has launched proposals to set a voluntary standard for carbon offsetting.
Why are they doing this?
To assure consumers that they are not being ripped off by the growing number of unregulated providers offering to offset carbon emissions. The standard will provide some guarantee that money is being spent on schemes that genuinely reduce carbon emissions.
How will it work?
Offsetting providers that use internationally certified carbon credits will be issued with a quality mark. The scheme is expected to be introduced in autumn 2007. A number of offsetting providers already comply with the proposed scheme. They include: Pure, the Clean Planet Trust, Global Cool, Equiclimate and Carbon Offsets.
Will the scheme help polluters comply with the EU emissions trading scheme?
No. This scheme covers carbon credits purchased voluntarily. The emission trading schemes is obligatory for big polluters.
Why is carbon trading controversial?
Environmental campaigners say it sends out the wrong message, namely that you can buy your way out of the problem of rising carbon emissions. Friends of the Earth says it discourages individuals and companies from cutting greenhouse gases in the first place. It suspects the scheme is being put forward to ward off legislation to reduce emissions and avoid the proper development of low-carbon technologies. It also takes issue with some schemes being offered to offset carbon. For example, it says that tree planting should be ruled out because large-scale plantations reduce biodiversity and cause social disruption in the developing world.
What does the government say?
The environment minister David Miliband admits that "offsetting isn't the answer to climate change". He is urging individuals and companies to first think about how they can avoid and reduce emissions. But he insists that offsetting is a useful way to deal with those emissions that can't be avoided.
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