Does Carbon Offsetting simply encourage yachts to pollute more?
Absolutely not. A yacht’s itinerary or passage plan will reflect the destination choices of the Principal, and may be limited by practical considerations or the overall cost. A professional Captain will operate the vessel in a fuel-efficient manner, not least for economic reasons. These two factors will determine the consumption of fuel and hence emissions quantity. The incremental cost of Carbon Offsetting, if anything strengthens this economic incentive to save fuel. Moreover, participation in Carbon Offsetting may increase awareness of the greenhouse-gas impact in the Principal’s mind and this may influence their choices about their itinerary if this impact can be reduced without compromising their enjoyment.
