Offsetting: A Genuine Solution or Copout

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Is offsetting a strong fix in the fight against climate change or just a small piece of the puzzle?

Addressing our carbon footprint has never been as critical as it is today as the world grapples with the rapidly increasing challenges posed by climate change. Think rising sea levels, which could impact around one billion people by 2050, ice-free Arctic summers due to the Arctic, which covers millions of square miles of ocean today, warming faster than anywhere else on Earth, and plants and animals at risk of losing more than half of their habitats, to name a few. If we cannot take the necessary steps to keep temperatures from rising below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and ideally below 1.5 degrees Celsius, the consequences will be dire.

The growing awareness of the global climate issue has led many of us to look for ways to reduce our emissions. Amongst these tools is carbon offsetting, which has emerged as a controversial yet popular method for mitigating the impact of emissions. As the world focused on COP28, where world leaders, policymakers, and environmental advocates discussed how to shape the trajectory of global climate action, the effectiveness and ethical implications of carbon offsetting again take centre stage. Are these initiatives a genuine step towards a sustainable future, or are we at risk of deviating from the actual action needed to curb our carbon footprint? It is important to recognise the broader context in which the offsetting action debate lies, analysing its potential and the setbacks as we navigate the complexities of climate change, where our daily decisions will affect future generations.

So what exactly is ‘carbon offsetting’? The phrase refers to a process where individuals, businesses, and governments compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions by investing in projects, often in forest conservation, renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that reduce these emissions. The idea behind this is that by removing greenhouse gases through these projects, you can counterbalance the emissions you produce, effectively making you carbon neutral. 

Carbon offsetting gained popularity following the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, an international treaty established to reduce gas emissions that contribute to global warming. The appeal stems from its immediate and accessible nature, providing individuals and businesses with a straightforward means to address their carbon footprint. People like that it has a global impact, aligns with corporate responsibility, supports different environmental projects, and can be cost-effective, offering companies a visible way to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

Many argue that effective carbon offsetting does really help the environment because it allows for action to be taken quickly, especially for industries such as aviation that find it hard to cut their emissions immediately, as it can be a stepping stone towards a greener future, whilst they think of better ways to stop pollution. But it is a temporary fix. Whilst a helpful tool, carbon offsetting is not a silver bullet for solving climate change problems and relying too heavily on it might slow down the urgent changes we must make.

One of the biggest concerns is that offsetting lets us off the hook too easily. Instead of making real changes to reduce pollution, individuals and companies can keep buying offsets without actively trying to reduce their emissions. This lack of direct action is seen as a copout, meaning it is a way to avoid taking responsibility for the actual problem and raises concerns about accountability and whether offsetting merely serves as a band-aid on a much deeper wound. This leads to the problem of ‘greenwashing’. When used superficially, offsetting transforms from a legitimate sustainability strategy into a “green PR” tool,  making it hard to tell if one is truly committed to helping the environment or just trying to look good. And this destroys the credibility of the broader climate movement.

The concept of offsetting also raises questions about individual and corporate responsibility. While carbon offsetting allows for claims of carbon neutrality and compliance with regulatory standards, it is essential to view offsetting as a complementary step rather than a standalone solution, with its effectiveness varying depending on the project. Furthermore, the quality of the action relies on several factors, including project transparency, additionality (whether the project results in emissions reductions that would not have occurred otherwise), and long-term impact.

With all this said, it is clear that the debate pertaining to carbon offsetting cannot be simply reduced to that of a copout or solution. Whilst a small (but vital) piece of the puzzle, the primary solution requires a balanced approach. In a well-rounded climate strategy, offsetting can be a bridge toward a more sustainable future. It provides an avenue for supporting innovative projects that may not yet be widespread or seen as economically practical. By channelling resources into these initiatives, offsetting allows for exploring and developing solutions that can complement direct emission reduction efforts. It should be integrated as part of a broader approach that combines immediate offsetting measures with long-term strategies to achieve significant and sustained carbon emission reductions. For example, at Atteline, through the Climate Positive subscription thanks to Green Future Project, we offset the employees’ carbon footprint by generating clean energy from the wind farm in Tamil Nadu, India. This also contributes to the protection of the Canandé Reserve, the Narupa Reserve in Ecuador and mangrove tree plantations at the Marovolavo site in Madagascar.

Our impact card reads that our offsetting activities have yielded 3,000 trees planted, 2,700 square metres of forest protection and 198.25 tonnes of CO2 absorbed. But we understand this is just a start. By integrating sustainable practices into our business operations and fostering positive change in the communications industry, we can make an impact and, by extension, support global climate action. Since pledging to become B Corp certified by 2024, it is less about our offset practices, and now looking at how to implement radical, transformative change inside out.

Words By: Stephanie Dafeta, Account Manager & Sustainability Ambassador at Atteline