CARBON OFFSETTING HAS RECEIVED A BAD RAP IN THE PAST FOR BEING SEEN AS GREENWASHING – SOME PEOPLE FEEL IT GIVES PERMISSION FOR ‘CONSUMPTION AS USUAL’ WITHOUT THE GUILT. THAT IT GIVES US LEEWAY TO SHIFT THE BURDEN TO SOMEONE ELSE OR THAT IT IS SIMPLY THE ABILITY TO BUY A LICENSE TO COOK THE PLANET. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

Greenwashing is a broad-brush term applied to companies as a shortcut to offsetting their footprint without trying to change their practises. Without a doubt this does happen in some cases, however, that should not stop individuals and companies from trying to offset their footprint whilst at the same time trying to introduce technology and best practise to minimise their footprints.

We should remember that some industries will find this easier to do than others, due to current technological limitations. Change takes time, there are no shortcuts and no magic bullets to combating climate change. We have to use all the tools appropriate to us to minimise its impact. Critics will often say that the projects supported would happen anyway, there is no evidence to suggest this is true. Without outside investment a lot of these projects would never get off the ground or would take far longer to get off the ground.