Wow, quite the story and cast of characters: https://lnkd.in/ebQZYAaz.
A reformed activist-turned-iBanker back for redemption by cleaning up the carbon speculators, and an evil villain who swindles a helpless victim (a small community) by gaming the ‘offset’ scheme to run away with gobs of money. It’s true that there are always bad actors who find ways to cheat, game, and steal from others to make a quick buck. The #VoluntaryOffset system is no different.
However, while in some cases #offsets have been a bit like the wild west, that doesn’t mean that nothing positive has happened – in fact it appears that something positive did take place in the case explored by the New Yorker story, just not as much as initially expected. And controls in the system did their job to catch this.
In the end, these kinds of stories can shine a light on the dark side of the industry; however, they can also undermine a legitimate solution that can be incredibly useful on the road to #NetZero. There are many professional organizations developing strong projects that reduce emissions and provide ancillary benefits (from better air and/or water quality to local economic development and much more).
After spending the last three decades helping organizations develop climate and GHG plans, Profoundry (which includes Delphi, GLOBE Series, CBSR and Leading Change) believes that high-quality, credible offsets can help accelerate #ClimateAction (when used by companies to go beyond reduction targets that are aligned with science-based, Paris Agreement goals).
The industry does need to do better to raise confidence and improve transparency, and even more importantly we need everyone and every organization around the globe making real #EmissionReductions.
So let’s work together, not just point fingers and focus on what can’t, didn’t, shouldn’t, work. We need all hands on deck and all types of solutions to ward off the worst impacts of climate change.
#CarbonOffsets #ScienceBasedTargets #ClimateAudit
An MBA trapped in a creative's body ✺ Brand Sculptor ✺ Product Creator ✺ Consumer Translator
4wWe need more of this!