Carbon Offset Watch Ranks Offset Providers: helps consumers make the right choice

Tuesday, 16 September 2008 21:47

With the voluntary carbon offset market growing exponentially there is a confusing number of claims, products and carbon calculators available to consumers. Carbon Offset Watch clearly ranks 20 of the largest offset providers from ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Adequate’. Overall, Climate Friendly, Cleaner Climate, Climate Positive, SMRC (Southern Metropolitan Regional Council) and the Carbon Reduction Institute all scored an outstanding mark.

“The Australian carbon offset industry is worth over $44million a year and its credibility has been in question, but Carbon Offset Watch will force the industry to grow up by naming the best and most reliable. Consumers who are actively trying to reduce their carbon footprint are making an important contribution but need to be assured, not duped into buying offsets that provide little environmental benefit,” said Jane Castle, TEC Resource Conservation Campaigner.

"We found that there are real differences in the quality and reliability of carbon offsets provided by different retailers so we are taking the confusion out of the process so that people can make an informed decision. This ranking system allows people to see which offset providers guarantee a reduction in carbon footprint and which do not," said Chris Riedy, Research Director at ISF.

"It is far too difficult at present for consumers to differentiate between good and bad carbon offset schemes. Carbon Offset Watch will put organisations that exploit consumers’ environmental concerns on notice and help increase consumer confidence in this market," said Kate Norris, Senior Policy Officer at CHOICE.

Concern over climate change has grown rapidly and with it, the demand for carbon offsets, which reduce greenhouse gas emissions from one activity to compensate for the emissions of another. There are now over 50 carbon offset providers in Australia but there is little transparent and independent information about product value. Carbon Offset Watch has investigated the quality of carbon offset products and the full results, rankings, report and tips for buying carbon offsets can be found at www.carbonoffsetwatch.org.au