Another inconvenient truth (global warming)
Another inconvenient truth (global warming)
Elgin B. Business Week, 26 March 2007, No. 4027 Issue: 4027, Start page: 96, No. of pages: 5
Purpose – To examine whether carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates (REC) are more to do with making people feel good, rather than reducing carbon emissions. Design/methodology/approach – Suggests that many companies are boosting their green credentials with methods that are highly dubious. Homes in on carbon offsets; believes that these are primarily symbolic and draws attention away from the need for more expensive and effective measures. Scrutinises how carbon offsets work by examining some of the carbon offset programmes involving TerraPass, a two year old for profit company in San Francisco; presents the example of two projects in the TerraPass portfolio and provides evidence that many of the pollution reduction initiatives would have occurred anyway and were not as a result of offset deals. Outlines how RECs are emerging as an alternative to carbon offsets; investigates how they work;records the views of REC sceptics and of those who believe that you can’t solve the climate crisis by offsets and claiming to be climate-neutral. Originality/value – Critiques the use of carbon offsets and renewable energy certifications as a means to reduce pollution.ISSN: 0007-7135Reference: 36AJ642
Keywords: Corporate strategy, Environmental management, Global warming, Waste disposal
