Are purchasing carbon offsets just a way for people and companies to avoid changing environmentally harmful behaviours?
Dealing with climate change requires a multi-faceted approach that includes cutting emissions at the source as well as sequestering the greenhouse gases that are a byproduct of industralised societies. World Vision encourages not only offsetting but also reducing emissions emitted in the first place. The cap and trade system uses market forces to encourage countries and industries to both reduce and offset emissions. In addition, offsetting gives those living in poverty a chance to benefit from the carbon markets by allowing them to be a part of the solution while rewarding them financially. World Vision’s aim is that as these bio-carbon markets grow, the impoverished will gain a voice in their environmental destiny and be compensated for fighting the effect of climate change in their own communities.
