Revealed: more than 90% of rainforest carbon offsets by biggest certifier are worthless, analysis shows

Guardian ^ | January 18, 2023 | Patrick Greenfield

[grundle]

Investigation into Verra carbon standard finds most are ‘phantom credits’ and may worsen global heating

The forest carbon offsets approved by the world’s leading certifier and used by Disney, Shell, Gucci and other big corporations are largely worthless and could make global heating worse, according to a new investigation.

The research into Verra, the world’s leading carbon standard for the rapidly growing $2bn (£1.6bn) voluntary offsets market, has found that, based on analysis of a significant percentage of the projects, more than 90% of their rainforest offset credits – among the most commonly used by companies – are likely to be “phantom credits” and do not represent genuine carbon reductions.

The analysis raises questions over the credits bought by a number of internationally renowned companies – some of them have labelled their products “carbon neutral”, or have told their consumers they can fly, buy new clothes or eat certain foods without making the climate crisis worse.

But doubts have been raised repeatedly over whether they are really effective.

The nine-month investigation has been undertaken by the Guardian, the German weekly Die Zeit and SourceMaterial, a non-profit investigative journalism organisation. It is based on new analysis of scientific studies of Verra’s rainforest schemes.

[JoJo354]

Oh my goodness! I am sorry you had to be subjected to that! Here in Florida, in my area there was no big hassle if you weren’t wearing a mask or unvaccinated. Even Walmart just put up “distance” tape on the floor at checkout to make people more comfortable. They asked you to wear a mask but if you didn’t, they didn’t kick you out or anything.