Category: carbon offsets

Are carbon offsets through airlines just ‘greenwashing’?

Spending a few dollars to offset the footprint of your flight may sound too good to be true because it is, climate experts say. JD Shadel explains in an article on the Washington Post website. Do you agree?   Airlines want you to buy carbon offsets. Experts say they’re a ‘scam.’ “Book more sustainably” — … Continue reading Are carbon offsets through airlines just ‘greenwashing’? →

Examining KPMG’s environmental auditing practices in sustainable forest management

At the climate talks in 2021, world leaders pledged to halt forest loss and degradation by 2030. During a nine-month investigation, 140 journalists from 27 countries delved into why and how nations are falling short of meeting that goal. Scilla Alecci writes on the Inside Climate News about the role of the auditing firm KPMG. … Continue reading Examining KPMG’s environmental auditing practices in sustainable forest management →

Report finds that supply chains for major industries in Australia, including iron and steel, could cut annual CO2 to 17m tonnes by 2050

Adam Morton writes on the Guardian website about a new report from the Australian Industry Energy Transition Initiative that found they could cut annual CO2 from 221m tonnes in 2020 to 17m tonnes by mid-century while steel and iron production rose by nearly 20% and aluminium production by more than 30%.   Australia’s big emitters … Continue reading Report finds that supply chains for major industries in Australia, including iron and steel, could cut annual CO2 to 17m tonnes by 2050 →

The “net zero” climate targets of 24 of the world’s largest companies fall far behind their promises

The “net zero” climate plans of 24 of the world’s largest companies add up to emissions reductions of only 36 percent, according to a report by the NewClimate institute and non-profit Carbon Market Watch. The strategies of the self-declared climate leaders, which include household names such as Amazon, Apple, Google, H&M, Nestle, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Walmart, are … Continue reading The “net zero” climate targets of 24 of the world’s largest companies fall far behind their promises →

New report shows Dutch sustainability criteria for biomass unlawful

A report, published this week by five (inter)national environmental organisations (Biofuelwatch UK, Comite Schone Lucht NL, Leefmilieu, Dogwood Alliance VS and Estonian Fund for Nature ES) shows that the largest certification programme (SBP) used for logging does not meet the Dutch sustainability criteria. Certification appears to be entirely in the hands of the wood pellet … Continue reading New report shows Dutch sustainability criteria for biomass unlawful →

New standards should bring greater scrutiny of carbon offsets and give buyers confidence their money is helping protect the environment

Recent investigations have revealed widespread problems with offsetting. Fiona Harvey writes on The Guardian website about new efforts by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market to introduce new standards to reassure consumers of the impact of their carbon offset efforts. What are your views?   New carbon offset standards ‘should bring greater scrutiny’ … Continue reading New standards should bring greater scrutiny of carbon offsets and give buyers confidence their money is helping protect the environment →

WEF podcast transcript on carbon offsets

As we wonder about the impact of carbon offsets, the World Economic Forum provides a podcast that should give us a wider view of their benefits. Robin Pomeroy, Podcast Editor at the WEF, discusses carbon offsets with Rachel Kyte, co-chair of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative and with Dharsono Hartono, UpLink Top Innovator, and … Continue reading WEF podcast transcript on carbon offsets →

“Google has airbrushed a huge chunk of the aviation industry’s climate impacts from its pages”

With Google hosting nine out of every 10 online searches, Google’s change to reduce airline emissions could have wide repercussions for people's travel decisions. Justin Rowlatt discusses in an article on the BBC News website. Let us know your reaction.   Google change reduces airline emissions calculations Your flights now appear to have much less … Continue reading “Google has airbrushed a huge chunk of the aviation industry’s climate impacts from its pages” →

Offset schemes do little to reduce climate impact of aviation

Almost all airlines now run offset schemes offering customers the chance to invest in green projects to negate the carbon impact of their flight. However, as Madeleine Cuff writes on the inews website, some offset prices fall are below the true cost of removing CO2. So, what would you suggest?   Carbon offsetting fees offered … Continue reading Offset schemes do little to reduce climate impact of aviation →