Not My Monkey

Carbon offsetting – the act of compensating for the emissions produced throughout a process by funding a carbon dioxide-saving initiative. Examples include reforestation and investments in renewable energy. It seems like a positive process, right? Well, I actually think it does the opposite, here’s why…

First, how can actively participating in something that harms the environment be considered ‘sustainable’? It can’t, it is not a long-term solution as we are still taking away from future generations to meet our current needs.

Second, the act of offsetting carbon emissions will not solve the climate crisis, it requires collaborative innovation which produces positive changes. For example, a change in consumer needs where sustainable goods and services are expected from businesses. Changing trends to be compatible with sustainable principles requires the education of civil societies, responses from businesses in line with changing needs, and commitments from policymakers to incentivise sustainable practices whilst disincentivising unsustainable practices.

Third, carbon offsetting should, under no circumstances, be seen as a substitute for genuine, sustainable practices. The very idea that an organisation is compensating suggests they are aware of the negative impacts they are engaging in, yet, it is deemed acceptable if it is covered up.

Fourth, offsetting carbon emissions is an act of greenwashing. Businesses are promoting the idea that they are having a positive impact on the environment when in actual fact, they are ‘covering up’ the negative impact they have created. In addition, it only accounts for the carbon dioxide which is released into the atmosphere, what is the solution to the various other environmental impacts such as the destruction of habitats or large amounts of waste?

However, the benefits of engaging in carbon offsetting rather than changing practices to be sustainable are conceived to be too high. Most notably, it’s cheaper, however, as mentioned above entrepreneurs will not gain a return on investment unlike those engaging in sustainable practices. Some also may argue that offsetting carbon emissions is a useful tool when compensating for the processes that are difficult to change, such as long-haul shipping or trucking. However, these processes are not impossible to change, and there will become a point in the near future when demand will force change whether the industry is ready or not. So why not start research and development now?

I believe carbon offsetting gives organisations an excuse not to engage in sustainable practices whilst misleading us to believe they are engaging in such practices. It is a capitalist way of viewing sustainability, paying someone else to ‘fix’ their shortcomings to reap a larger economic reward. Furthermore, the very process of understanding how much carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere clearly identifies the unsustainable practices within the organisation. Instead of investing in sustainable research and development, the negative impacts are ignored and we choose to amend them by doing something that is seen to be environmentally friendly. I struggle to understand how this can provide a strong basis for credible sustainable development.