Scientists advise against carbon offsetting
Carbon offsets can include tree-planting or protecting existing forests
More than two dozen scientists are urging the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) not to allow companies to use carbon offsetting to meet their climate targets.
SBTi has become a leading force in corporate climate governance, helping businesses align their emissions reductions with the Paris Agreement.
Writing for Edie, the scientists say SBTi’s “flirtation with offsets” comes at a critical juncture in global climate action.
One of the signatories is Dr James Dyke, Assistant Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter.
He said: “I recently advised my university to ditch carbon offsets as there is abundant evidence these do not reduce our climate impacts.
“If SBTi is to continue to play a positive role, then it must not let businesses off the hook by recommending carbon offsetting.”
The full Edie article is available here: https://www.edie.net/scientists-on-why-the-sbti-should-not-allow-more-carbon-offsetting-to-address-scope-3-emissions/
