A best-efforts approach to carbon offsets?

[major_clanger]

So, if I do find myself with good reason for flying, is there anything I can do to offset the resulting CO2? Offset schemes have had a bad press lately, and often with good reason; all to many of them are ineffectual, be it though inappropriate measures, multiple counting of carbon credits, or offset against reduction measures that would have happened anyway. Nonetheless, there are ways to accredit offset schemes and having done some research it seems that CDM Gold Standard is reasonably credible; it is endorsed by major environmental NGOs and seems to use sensible appraisal criteria.

Looking at the CDM-approved projects, it seems that an appropriate one for someone in the UK seeking to offset carbon use is ClimateCare, which helpfully both gives calculators for specific sorts of emissions or, if you know the details of the CO2 offset you want, lets you buy it directly by tonne.

Even so, there is considerable uncertainty as to exactly how much of even a credible offset you should make. Air travel in particular is subject to a lot of unknowns, and I've seen estimates of the appropriate forcing factor of around 4 (i.e a tonne of CO2 emitted by an aircraft has the warming effect of 4 tonnes emitted at ground level). It therefore seems to make sense to me to err on the side of caution and apply a factor of 4 multiplier for offsetting aircraft flights. And, of course, offsetting should take second place to simply not generating the emission at all. Even credible offsets should be seen as compensatory measures for justifiable emission, not a method of buying an indulgence for something I would not otherwise have done.

So, I am thinking of setting a personal policy on these lines:

1) Decide if my journey is really necessary, as defined by my own standards (which I will say are mine, and I do not expect them to be the same as anyone else's, nor that they should be seen in any way as a benchmark). Factors include whether it is for work, for wider benefit, or just for my own purposes, and what the total CO2 output involved will be.

2) Use a reputable CDM Gold Standard offset, applying a multiplier of 4 for aircraft emission offsets. This will at current prices add around £80 to the cost of a return air fare to the US - not, given factor (1), that I expect to make many of those for the time being.

3) Do an annual offset of my approx 4 tonnes of personal CO2 emission arising from personal energy consumption and local travel. This will cost about £40 per year.

Comments

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a sensible approach.

I've got someone coming to visit me from the US for work purposes in a month or so, and I think I shall spend part of what he pays me to offset his journey. We would have worked without the journey if at all possible, but part of the job simply cannot be done by email.

My gut instinct says that schemes that reduce tree felling are probably the best bet. (partly becasue trees are beneficial to the local climate as well as the overall warming issue)

While my intention is never to fly myself, I have to accept that Richard's new job may require him to go overseas at some point. (and while I currently can't see anything that would justify my flying, one can never tell what unexpected events may happen in the future)

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

At the moment, my opinion is that the best form of carbon offsetting is to support community regeneration through locally managed new tree plantations in the tropics or sub-tropics.

[(Anonymous)]

I've been using ClimateCare for a couple of years now, and I've been pretty impressed with them, both in the ease of use and their commitment to improving their offset schemes.

[cobrabay.livejournal.com]

That was me.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

That seems very sensible and responsible. We try and use non-flight methods where ever possible at present, but the marquis' employer will insist on sending him to the US (because video-conferencing it too complicated or something and obviously they can't run courses outside the US) and they don't offset, which leave him responsible. I do wonder if international companies ought to charged some kind of carbon tax for this sort of behaviour?
However,what about air shows? Should audience members be considering trying to offset some of the carbon emitted by these, or are boycotts better?

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Just noticed you've covered this. WHoops.