- 期刊
Carbon Offsetting and SMEs - challenges and a way forward?
摘要
In order to reach the United Nations goal of no more than 1.5 degree centigrade temperature rise, 195 countries signed a commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050. As part of their efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, the UK signed into law its commitment to reach net zero, through the reduction of emissions and carbon offsetting. Carbon offsetting has been beset by criticisms, namely it is often used instead of making reductions in emissions, that its effects are not long lived and can be detrimental to landscapes and communities. However, when conducted ethically and sustainably, it has the potential to act as a complementary tool to reduction of emissions. Previous focus of carbon offsetting has been on larger organisations, but with smaller organisations making significant contributions to home economies, they are equally responsible for emissions, therefore also responsible to help achieve net zero. Currently there are factors which may impede smaller businesses for considering carbon offsetting as a tool, similarly, the existing schemes may provide challenges for those who may wish to reduce their carbon footprint. Therefore, this paper examines the factors which impede carbon offsetting use by SMEs and proposes a series of steps which may allow for greater usage of them as a device whilst overcoming some of the criticisms which have been levelled at them.