The Truth About Carbon Offsetting
Why your carbon offsetting may not be as helpful to the environment as you think
With Heathrow Airport offering a new carbon offsetting service for environmentally conscious flyers, this report investigates where the money goes, and just how climate friendly these schemes really are.
Carbon offsetting companies offer a chance to fly guilt free: offset the carbon emissions you produce by funding environmental projects around the world. Yet studies show that around 85% of carbon offsetting projects have no real impact. "You give yourself a clear conscience flying and think, 'It's offset, so it's neutral'. The risk is that carbon offsetting delays the necessary behavior change", says Professor Alain Karsenty. After criticising an offsetting company that partnered with a coal plant in India, Professor Alex Michaelowa claims he was bribed. "They suggested I write a study on the project, for money", he says. But the head of MyClimate, Kathrin Dellantonio, defends the practice: "It's complex, if I were a consumer, I would look at the organisation the money goes to. We believe it is better to offset the emissions than to do nothing."
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