Carbon Offsetting: Does It Really Work?

Explore the controversial world of carbon offsetting in this 52-minute lecture by Professor Myles Allen, Director of the Oxford Net Zero initiative and Frank Jackson Foundation Professor of the Environment. Delve into the fundamental flaws of the carbon offsetting industry, examining various types including emission reduction offsets, avoided emissions offsets, deforestation offsets, and carbon removal offsets. Learn about regulatory efforts, the pros and cons of different offsetting approaches, and why geological net zero may be necessary for effective climate action. The lecture critically analyzes who decides what emissions are "unavoidable" and evaluates different strategies for achieving climate goals, from compensation schemes to addressing fossil fuels through reforestation. Recorded at Barnard's Inn Hall in London, this comprehensive examination of carbon credit markets provides essential insights for understanding a key component of many net-zero strategies.