FoE: Offsetting role 'hugely overstated'

In a further development in the debate between environmentalists, government and the aviation industry, Friends of the Earth (FoE) has launched a broad attack on carbon offsetting, saying it has only "dubious" benefits.

A report by the environmental audit committee (EAC) published this morning said the benefits of offsetting schemes were "limited" but claimed the public should still be encouraged to adopt them.

FoE climate campaigner Mary Taylor said: “The EAC is hugely overstating the role which offsetting can play in tackling climate change.

"Many offsetting schemes have dubious benefits.

"More worryingly they tend to give the impression that it's possible to 'do our bit' without taking any real measures to cut emissions.

"We cannot afford to be distracted by measures that at best only have a small role to play in providing the solutions to global warming."

FoE joined other environmental groups in encouraging the public to minimise their emissions rather than trying to offset them.

"Carbon offsetting should be a measure of last resort, after steps have been taken to cut emissions," Ms Taylor said.

"On aviation this means cutting the growth in flights – not simply better marketing for offsetting.

"The government has a role to play in ensuring that offsetting schemes are genuine but its main role must be to ensure that UK emissions are cut."