The Cleantech Show #007: Understanding Carbon Offsets - Interview with Jeff Angel, Total Environment Centre
The Cleantech Show #007 (MP3 - 12MB - 34min)
Carbon Neutrality is the key objective of many consumers and organisations seeking to nullify their impact on global emissions. For many individuals and companies an available approach is to choose to offset gross emissions by purchasing Carbon Offsets. The Growth in this market over the last 5 years has resulted in a proliferation of approaches, new businesses and questions about the transparency of the process.
On this weeks show i have Jeff Angel the Executive Director of Total Environment Centre to examine this issue, and shed light onto the Carbon Offset Industry and where offsetting fits into the steps to achieving Carbon Neutrality.
Jeff has been an environmental campaigner since 1973 on a wide range of issues including: urban sustainability, waste management, air pollution, public transport, forest protection, threatened species, coastal planning, corporate environmental sustainability and renewable energy.
The Total Environment Centre has released a number of reports on the Australian Industry, but the findings and recommendations are applicable globally.
- TEC Carbon Neutrality Watch [PDF 248Kb] - May 2007. A review of the carbon neutrality and offset market.
- Neutral and Beyond: A review of carbon neutrality & offsets [PDF 215Kb] - Opinions from the industry on carbon neutrality and offsets.
My question for comments this week is
‘What role do you think carbon offsetting should play in emissions reductions?’
Please let us know your thoughts.
Cheers
Nick Bruse
June 26th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Great interview Nick! I really felt like I learned a lot, especially about the complexities of the whole carbon trading system at the moment. Can’t wait to launch TPN GREEN!
June 28th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Everyone that’s considering offsetting their carbon emissions should contemplate the subtle difference between buying offsets (noun) and hoping the offset retailer does something significant with those funds, and actually offsetting (verb) their emissions with a system that suits their social and economic interests.
As widely accepted standards are adopted, carbon offset funds will be directed to meaningful and effective projects.
We’ve developed an offsetting system that addresses all of the issues surrounding voluntary carbon offsets AND allows our clients to earn a profit from their offsetting (verb).
As the media attention effectively weeds out the unscrupulous players. It will just as effectively direct attention to the sincere businesses.