What is the issue?
Every country, business, family and individual has their own carbon footprint. As the reality of global warming and climate change becomes more serious, people at all levels of society from governments to schools are looking for ways to counteract the problem.
Many scientists believe that the impact of human development on global warming could account for rising temperatures, melting ice caps and escalating natural disasters. These environmental phenomena have serious social impacts as well. People are being displaced from their homes because of rising sea levels. Some regions are under the constant threat of hurricanes, typhoons and flooding. On top of all this, the world’s water supply is slowly dwindling as rivers dry up.
Carbon offsetting is one way to attempt to refill your carbon footprint. Offsetting programs involve a range of carbon dioxide neutralising options. These include the implementation of sustainable energy wind farms, tree planting or donating energy saving devices to developing nations. It’s not really an exact science, but it based on the idea that you can purchase ‘clean’ energy credits to cancel out the harmful gases that you inevitably emit during every day activities.
Carbon offsetting is mainly used by businesses who want to be environmentally responsible without necessarily reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions they produce. For many companies, the reality of cutting down emissions is not financially practical, and this is only way that they can help to counteract their own unsustainable practices. In recent years, individual offsetting has also become popular.
Clever idea or environmental bandaid?
Since the concept was first thought up, environmentalists, scientists and politicians have been divided on the effectiveness of carbon offsetting and carbon trading.
Those in favour of the idea say that it encourages individuals to take personal responsibility for the impact that their actions have on the environment. It forces people to consider the issue of global warming. In the end, making some sort of effort to solve the problem is better than making none at all.
Those against carbon offsetting think that it avoids the real issue and is just another excuse to keep polluting the planet. They feel that offering to ‘offset’ emissions helps people to justify a carbon crazy lifestyle. Scientists argue that there is not enough knowledge available to accurately execute the offsetting process. And more research into offsetting just distracts from the real issue of how to reduce fossil fuels and create a more sustainable way of living.
Offsetting for individuals and businesses
Working out your carbon footprint is easier than you might think, and neutralising that footprint is only a mouse click away. Emissions calculators can be found on the websites of many carbon-offset providers. You type in your daily activities, and the site will give you a rough idea of how much greenhouse gas your lifestyle produces. Some sites also suggest that carbon-offset gift vouchers are a great idea for Christmas and birthday presents!
In March 2008 there were over 50 Australian providers for carbon offsetting, operating in both the private and not-for-profit spheres. Visit www.carbonoffsetguide.com.au to check out a complete list. You can shop around for the best price per tonne of carbon dioxide, and you can also do research into the most effective offsetting practice. Some organisations offer to plant trees while others contribute to solar or hydro power facilities around the world.
Businesses can apply to carbon-offset providers for full environmental assessments and management plans. Most carbon assessments suggest that offsetting strategies should be used in conjunction with other environmentally sustainable initiatives. Many major companies now have ongoing partnerships with offset-providers which monitor and ‘neutralise’ the environmental impact of business related activities. Carbon offsetting is a voluntary practice but participation by businesses is rapidly becoming more popular.
Many companies offer carbon-offsetting schemes through their relations with customers. Aeroplane carriers and car hire companies are two of the major industries that give consumers the opportunity to invest a token amount to offset the emissions produced through their use of the service. Music festivals such as Splendour in the Grass and The Wave Rock Weekender offer an optional fee on top of ticket prices to cover offsetting. This money also goes towards funding environmental projects in the areas where they are held.
Certifying carbon credits
Since this is a relatively new field there not yet a consistent regulation system in place. In other words, it is hard to know whether a certain company is doing enough to offset all of your carbon emissions. But there are some certifications you can look for when you are deciding on a provider. There are two international standards called the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) and the Gold Standard for Voluntary Emissions Reductions (Gold Standard VER). In Australia, you can try to find providers associated with the government endorsed ‘Greenhouse Friendly’ program.
This page was updated by kate elise
How do I know this?
Australian Government: Department of Climate Change
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/
Australian Government: Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator
http://www.orer.gov.au/index.html
Carbon Footprint
http://www.carbonfootprint.com
Carbon Offset Guide
www.carbonoffsetguide.com.au
‘Carbon Offsetting: Pros and Cons’ (August 2008)
www.greenmuze.com
‘Carbon Offset Providers in Australia in 2007’, Global Sustainability at RMIT University
http://www.global.rmit.edu.au/CarbonOffsets2007.pdf
Carbon Planet
www.carbonplanet.com
‘Fly Carbon Neutral’ Virgin Blue Airlines
http://www.virginblue.com.au/carbonoffset/info/#money
Landcare: CarbonSMART
http://www.carbonsmart.com.au/Default.aspx
Lohmann, Larry, ‘Six Arguments Against Carbon Trading’ Climate and Capitalism (September 2008)
www.climateandcapitalism.com
Triple J, ‘Hack: Carbon Offsetting’
http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/notes/mp3s/carbonoffset.mp3
