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Stefan Gössling CSGT, Western Norway Research Institute

Voluntary Carbon Offsets: pitfalls and potentials. Stefan Gössling CSGT, Western Norway Research Institute Dept. of Service Management, Lund University. World Travel Market, London, 14 November 2007. Aviation IS an issue!. Globally tourism 4-6% of CO 2 emissions,

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Stefan Gössling CSGT, Western Norway Research Institute

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  1. VoluntaryCarbon Offsets: pitfalls and potentials Stefan Gössling CSGT, Western Norway Research Institute Dept. of Service Management, Lund University World Travel Market, London, 14 November 2007

  2. Aviation IS an issue! • Globally tourism 4-6% of CO2 emissions, • But up to 14% if measured as Radiative Forcing • 75% of total is transport • 40% of total is aviation • Per capita: 3-4 t CO2/year sustainable (2020) • Net-growth in emissions: >3%/yr • Technology NOT solving problem Scott, D., Amelung, B., Becken, S., Ceron, J.-P., Dubois, G., Gössling, S., Peeters, P., Simpson, M. 2007. Climate Change and Tourism: Responding to Global Challenges. United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Madrid, Spain.

  3. Voluntary Carbon Offsets:systemic preconditions • Aviation needs to be included in EU Emissions Trading System • Voluntary offsets should not interferewith the Kyoto Agreement (i.e. sales of CERs) • Offsets should not serve the purpose of maintaining an unsustainable system: the bottom line is that we need to fly less! • If these preconditions met: then offsetting is OK • Ideally, every flight should be offset

  4. Carbon offsetting is big business • Customers can choose from a variety of projects (now 88 providers) that promise to ‘neutralise’ an equivalent amount of emissions by energy-saving, renewable energy use, or carbon sequestration in trees. • BUT, approaches taken vary… Source: Gössling, S., Broderick, J., Upham, P., Peeters, P., Strasdas, W., Ceron, J.-P. and Dubois, G. 2007. Voluntary carbon offsetting schemes for aviation: efficiency and credibility. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 15(3): 223-248. See also: www.carbontradewatch.org

  5. Looking for the cheapest way to offset

  6. Varying standards • Calculation: order of magnitude difference • Use of reduction units: EUAs, CERs, ERUs, VERs, NVERs; CERs & VERs also as Gold Standard • Annual reports, technical reports seldom available • Additionality: UNFCCC criteria seldom met • Ethical issues: child labour acceptable? • Often interfering with development aid?

  7. At stake: customer confidence and future markets

  8. What are the characteristics of a credible carbon offset proposition? • Be suspicious of claims to be carbon neutral: what you do is carbon compensation! • The principle of “additionality” is critical • Verification crucial, Gold Standard VERs have highest degree of credibility; make sure that what you buy are GS VERs (some providers pretend to offer these!) • Choose providers combining sustainable development and carbon offsets The cheapest solution may not be good enough!

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