about offsetting

Why Offset Or Compensate?

Offsetting can slow down climate change and help the drive towards renewable energy.

“(Gold standard) voluntary carbon offsets…can be used to help catalyse the transition to non fossil fuel energy based energy systems”.

(Source: WWF, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth. Joint statement Jan 2007)

If we all change our behaviour and do what we can, at work and home, we can reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, we will all still cause the emission of some greenhouse gasses. Offsetting lets us compensate for those inevitable emissions… the Government believes that offsetting is a good idea:

 

“Voluntary carbon offsets have a useful role in reducing carbon emissions…encouragement should be given to individuals and organisations to offset their carbon emissions”.

(Source; House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee. August 2007)

and respected commentators like Johnathan Porrit endorse the concept

“ Offsetting emissions from any form of transport is not nonsense – if it’s done in the right way. And that means avoiding journeys where possible, choosing the most CO2 – efficient form of transport where possible, and when you have to fly or drive, offsetting the CO2 emitted with the kind of offset providers…. who are able to guarantee gold standard offset projects.”