this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2023
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The system is designed to be gamed, it's working as intended. It's a complete bullshit sham that isn't doing a single thing for the climate
Here's a list of projects from just my province.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/public-sector/offset-portfolio
They include implementing new technologies which would otherwise not be cost effective for companies, upgrading older technologies before their phase out date or just interesting projects like diverting methane from landfills to be used as natural gas.
So basically they get to pollute as much as they want so long as they pay, rather than just forcing them to implement these "non cost effective solutions"
Im sure the money goes to good things but it just seems like an inefficient solution. We should be punishing companies for their pollution, not encouraging them to pollute as much as they want so long as they pay their dues
I strongly recommend reading about carbon taxes. They're pretty much unanimously supported in the scientific community as how to develop and implement the tech we need to get through to a zero emissions world.
Carbon offsets are as close as we currently have to such a plan right now. While imperfect, they are a start in the right direction and are already helping to fund the projects we need to fund.
Ironically, these schemes are some of the most efficient. By putting a price on carbon, we allow all corners of the free market to innovate and find solutions.
Government can't just snap its fingers and create new carbon sequestration technology. Nor is it the best positioned to assess which new technologies are going to be the right fit for which job. (Unless you want to vastly expand and fund the civil service.)
If some company is willing to fund the green revolution, have at it. Unless you have a scheme to convince everyone to stop eating beef, flying and driving, putting a price on carbon is generally the agreed upon best solution.