A reduction in
greenhouse gases is urgently needed to achieve our climate
targets and to limit global warming and its disastrous consequences. Yet many
people are still sceptical about carbon offsetting. Here are some of the most common
misconceptions.
I don’t want to offset because…
…it is too expensive.
The price of offsetting depends on
various factors such as the type of carbon offset project, the location of the
project, its co-benefits, etc. When you offset the emissions from your
trip, your compensation has a greater impact than you might think. A study
conducted by ICROA shows the added value, for every tonne of carbon emissions
reduced. They estimate the total added value at $724 per tonne! This hidden
value increases the quality of life and financial situation of local people far
more than the offset price. The next time you compensate, know that your
financial contribution to credible climate projects provides an additional
economic, social and environmental benefit.
…it has no impact.
Factories, businesses and governments are the parties that can have the
greatest impact but individuals can also make a difference. We
should all strive to reduce our daily carbon offset and 'give back' to nature what
cannot be avoided . Offsetting is a voluntary and concrete way of responding
to your climate impact and CO2 emission. Calculating and offsetting are the
first stages to be aware of our climate impact. The climate projects you can
support by offsetting would not exist without the CO2 compensation
system. By offsetting our CO2 emissions, we are also bolstering the
Sustainable Development Goals in developing countries. More specifically, the
climate projects with which CO2logic and Greentripper work are located in
developing countries, thereby enabling the local populations to combine
socio-economic development with the reduction of CO2 emissions on a global
level.
… it is used for green marketing.
Carbon reduction is
a sustainable investment and more and more companies are aware of this. Not
only does it have environmental benefits, but also economic ones, such as a reduction in energy
costs. This is why many big brands offset the carbon that cannot be eliminated
internally. C arbon reduction can be a competitive advantage as more and more
customers expect climate action from their favourite brands. The vast
majority of companies that do carbon offsets, mostly have additional emission reduction targets.
According to a study by Forest Trends' Ecosystem Marketplace, these companies
invest 10 times more in emission reduction activities than the typical company
that does not offset.
… the climate projects are too far away.
Developing countries are the most impacted by
climate change and the least able to afford its consequences. By supporting
climate projects in developing countries, we bring important additional
benefits. Besides reducing CO2 emissions, we improve the health of the local
population, their incomes and their livelihood. The earth has only one atmosphere and with the same amount of money , we can reduce much more carbon emissions in developing countries than in Europe.
… you should just stop
travelling.
Tourism brings many benefits such as employment
for the local population and less discrimination .
But we cannot pretend that it has no negative impact on the climate. It is
therefore important that strict measures are taken in the travel industry . The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has a
global measure to address carbon emissions in the aviation sector: the
Carbon Offset and Reduction System for International Aviation (CORSIA). It aims
to stabilise CO2 emissions by requiring airlines to offset the growth in their
emissions after 2020. Offsetting shouldn’t be used as an excuse to
continue flying as we do today. We should strive to look at other sustainable
travel options such as
trains . However for those unavoidable
flights, it can be a good way to balance it out.
Sources:
Debunked: Eight Myths About Carbon Offsetting - Ecosystem Marketplace ,
ICROA - Valuing offset projects' co-benefits
