Carbon Offsetting Regulation
Carbon Offsetting Regulation
Governments plans to set standards for UK carbon offsetting projects
carbon | news | energy efficiencyThe Government has announced plans to set standards for
carbon offsetting projects promoted in the UK. With more and more people trying to reduce their
carbon footprints in their attempts to become
carbon neutral, many are turning to the wide array of
carbon offsetting packages available.
At present
carbon offsetting packages are not regulated, and so it is difficult for consumers to know if they are truly offsetting their carbon usage. The new (voluntary) standards leave just four projects recommended (listed below), however the Government plan to consult with those in the industry soon.
Pure - is a registered charity which uses donations to buy and cancel
carbon credits from emissions reduction projects. Gift Aid bumps up any declared donations by 28%.
Global Cool - sell
Tonnes of Cool for £20. £10 goes to
alternative energy and
energy reduction projects, £4 goes to alternative energy technology, and the other £6 goes on admin, charities and promotion. At least one tonne of CO2 is offset with this package, and because Global Cool is a registered charity, your £20 is increased by 28% if you sign a Gift Aid declaration.
Equiclimate - provided by not-for-profit energy supplier
EBICo. Offsets carbon with electricity generated from
renewable sources.
Carbon Offsets
The Problem With Offsetting Carbon Emissions
The Government have also drawn attention to a fact that many have worried about in the last few years - it is very difficult to measure the true effects (and benefits) of
carbon offsetting projects.
For example, many projects offer to
plant trees or to
protect woodland in order to absorb more carbon dioxide. However, when the trees are eventually cut down, the CO2 stored in them will be released right back into the atmosphere whether they rot down or are burned. Planting trees is more about delaying carbon than offsetting carbon (although there are numerous environmental benefits to planting trees and protecting woodlands). There are even doubts that mature trees are able to absorb the extra CO2 in the atmosphere since they may already have all the CO2 they need. View our article
Mature Trees are Poor Carbon Sponges to find out more.
Offsetting projects which generate electricity from
renewable sources in developing countries are generating electricity which otherwise would not have been generated and so again the projects are not really offsetting anything.
Carbon offsetting is never going to stop climate change. That will only happen when we all individually and collectively as countries make the effort to reduce our carbon emissions by travelling less, buying local food and products, and
reducing our electricity and gas consumption.
Carbon Offsetting In The News
UK to Tackle Bogus Carbon Schemes - BBC Online
Investigation into Carbon Offset Schemes Begins - Telegraph
Carbon Offsetting can be Harmful - The Independent
Article Last Modified: 15:19, 18th Jan 2007
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