Carbon offsets: Solution or quick fix?
Carbon offsetting is all the rage within the events industry. But what exactly does a carbon offset achieve? Certainly, the idea of planting a tree for every metre flown goes a long way in offsetting the guilt associated with burning so many tonnes of jet fuel, but how sustainable is this approach?Besides tree planting, there are a wide variety of offset methods in use, with renewable energy and energy conservation offsets popping up both in Australia and abroad. The purchase and withdrawal of emissions trading credits are also being seen.
But is this a real solution to reducing greenhouse emissions or just a quick fix? George Monbiot, an English environmentalist and writer, has compared carbon offsets to the practice of purchasing indulgences during the Middle Ages, whereby people believed they could purchase forgiveness for their sins rather than actually repenting and not sinning.
Monbiot also says carbon offsets are an excuse for business as usual with regards to pollution. The current approach may not be perfect, but at least event producers are now acknowledging the need to reduce their environmental impact.
Be sure to check out the new monthly Going Green section in the September issue of CIM for more, workable green initiatives from C&I professionals.
posted by CIM Magazine @ 8/30/2007 08:16:00 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
I totally agree with him! We should all try in our own small way to reduce our carbon emissions and not trust an entity we can't check on. How do we know the trees are actually being planted? Who checks to see if someone is watering them? etc...
At this stage I believe that Carbon offsetting is a real solution. It may not be perfect, and it may not be forever, but for the current environment we are working in, it has a valid place. However, it should be the last step in reducing any environmental footprint, not just when it comes to events.
First - Reduce - Reduce consumption of energy, materials etc by wise planning, working with your suppliers and sourcing local, green options where you can
Second - Reuse - Put programs in place to reuse materials either by donation, or by using materials that have more than a one shot use
Third - Recycle - Work with your venues and suppliers to put in place recycling programs for solid and organic matter
Finally - Offset - It's a fact that at this point in time we can't reduce our footprint to a neutral position, so doing the above, and then buying offsets to compensate for the rest is a valid option.
Australia is only just starting to gain momentum in the green events journey, but it's definatley a hot topic and one that I'm looking forward to working with my suppliers on.
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