Part 4/9:
A closer examination unveils uncomfortable truths about the efficacy of carbon offsets. A study from the University of Cambridge revealed that a staggering 88% of carbon credits in specific sectors fail to contribute to real emissions reductions. The figures are striking: renewable energy offsets showed 0% efficacy, while reforestation and chemical processes yielded only 25% and 27.5% real reductions, respectively.
Issues of Additionality
A major concern with carbon offsetting is the concept of "additionality," which assesses whether emission reductions would have occurred without the purchased carbon credits. Disturbingly, up to 85% of offset projects have proven ineffective, failing to produce actual emissions reductions despite claims of verification and monitoring.