12 EU countries are on track to miss their 2030 national climate targets by a large margin, according to a study by T&E. That means they will have to buy carbon credits on such a large scale there will be few left for others to buy their way out of missing their own targets (leaving them facing court cases). Germany and Italy are the two worst performing countries, with France on track by a very close margin. Germany will have to pay … [Read more...]
The Nordic Code: offsetting should be used to exceed, not meet, net-zero targets
Kenneth Möllersten and Lars Zetterberg at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and Hanna-Mari Ahonen at Perspectives Climate Research explain the main issues around the draft “Nordic Code of Best Practice for Voluntary Compensation of GHG”, published for consultation in June, which synthesises the most ambitious best practices for the voluntary use of carbon credits, including for offsetting. Focussing on non-state actors, the Nordic Code … [Read more...]
Carbon Offsetting via old wind and solar farms is no way to reduce emissions
Companies can offset their emissions by buying carbon credits, where the money goes to fund clean energy projects. But the carbon credit market includes credits for very old projects. This is a foolish waste, explain Mark Maslin and Simon Lewis at UCL (UK). The market must be based on the principle of additionality: the money should be aimed at projects that would not have happened otherwise, thereby causing emissions reductions that would not … [Read more...]
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