Two of the leading voices in climate change policy have spoken out to defend the importanct role of carbon offsetting in driving fast, global cuts in carbon emissions.

In a letter published in today's Independent (20th July) Jonathan Porrit (Founder of Forum for the Future and chair of the Governments Sustainable Development Commission) and Dr Steve Howard (CEO of The Climate Group) argue that credible carbon offsets have a 'vital role' and that good progress on standards for carbon offset projects is being made.  The Climate Group's 'Voluntary Carbon Standard' looks set to become the industry benchmark standard and Climate Care has over ten projects being submitted for accreditation through it.   Forum for the Future, the UK's leading sustainable development charity, is closely involved with the drive for high standards in the offset sector and submitted a joint response, along with a number of leading companies to the Government's consultation.

The letter is reproduced below:

Dear Sir

Carbon offsetting is key to cutting gases

As your front pages "S.O.S" (16th July) demonstrates, climate change is a real and pressing danger.  Drastic custs in carbon emissions are necesssary to stabilise climate change, and carbon offsetting has a vital role to play in this. 

While the first step for any business or individual must be to cut emissions at source, offsetting allows those who are not obliged to take action to balance out their carbon emissions by helping to finance low carbon technology projects around the world.

Without this valuable source of income, these projects would not be developed. The contribution they make is measured not only in direct reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, but in the social and economic benefits of reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Furthermore, voluntary offsets go above and beyond existing government policy and international emissions targets, helping to drive international action while the politics catches up.

Standards are critical and the industry is rapidly addressing the issue. The Climate Group’s work on the Voluntary Carbon Standard is one example of this and a credible industry body is being formed to help maintain and develop stringent quality assurance in this sector.

Government regulation and appeals for people to change their behaviour will not be sufficient to achieve the carbon reductions needed at the speed required.  That is why carbon offsetting is so key. It allows additional investment in carbon reductions over and above that which Government regulations have achieved, and makes those reductions wherever they can be made fastest and at the lowest cost. 

Yours faithfully,

Dr Steve Howard, CEO, The Climate Group

Jonathon Porritt, Founder, Forum for the Future