In an attempt to rebut accusations that buying and selling carbon offsets amounts to a whole lotta nothin', a coalition of three groups has announced new voluntary standards for the international offset market. The standard attempts to verify that money spent on carbon offsets goes directly to a project that does indeed help the climate. Says Mark Kenber of London-based nonprofit Climate Group, which helped develop the standard, "We're trying to give the basic assurance that [offset buyers are] getting what they're paying for."
source: The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, Reuters
see also, in Grist:Umbra advises on carbon offsets
E.U. pushes China further after pledge to slow carbon intensity
Obama headed to Copenhagen, sets the bar for success
Comments
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John former Marine Posted 9:29 am
19 Nov 2007
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Jascheua Posted 3:32 pm
19 Nov 2007
But, the only way to overcome the corporations in America, or any business I guess, in the battle of carbon waste, is to allow the "carbon-neutral" label to be bought, and allow them have a face for the blaring idiot consumers.
The only universal language in this country is money. If, in the meantime, we make it harder and more expensive for businesses to balance through buying offsets, they will voluntarily reduce carbon emissions.
The American businessman is short-sighted and over focused on the green seductress(money). If we can make these offsets a commodity the easiest and cheapest and quickest way to copout and not pay them is to reduce emissions.
Of course, this will only work if our legislators continue to work and our critics dont give up, rather than treat carbon offsets and a problem solved and walk away.
Although its not an answer, it is a step to lead us there. Rather than treating carbon offsets as useless copouts, we should treat them as tools for the cause of human longevity.
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LandMan Posted 10:26 pm
19 Nov 2007
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