- Carbon offsetting doesn't reduce overall carbon emissions. At best, it keeps them at the same level: all you're doing is paying someone else to remove or prevent an amount of carbon that's roughly equivalent to what you've produced.
- If you're buying offsets, make sure your money is going towards a legitimate project. Ask whether it's been independently verified and by whom (see "Carbon certification"). Be aware that prices vary widely between providers and calculations of emissions offset may be rough estimates only.
- Making a donation to a worthwhile environmental project or to a public-interest group campaigning on climate change may be just as effective as buying offsets.
Those green claims
When the V8 Supercar race hit Hamilton streets this year, publicity claimed the cars were "racing green". Race organisers said more than 1000 trees would be planted to "balance" carbon emissions from the race. Sceptical? Carbon neutrality may be the latest must-have green credential but there's no legal definition of what it means.
Advertising claims do have to comply with the Fair Trading Act (which prohibits false or misleading statements). The Commerce Commission is currently looking into a complaint about a Meridian Energy ad which claims the company is carbon neutral.
Report by Jessica Wilson
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