The European Union’s strategy to turn Europe into the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 is doomed to failure. Yet, that can be prevented if it rejects the greenwashing of carbon offsetting programmes and shifts policy and finance flows towards genuine climate solutions focused on reducing emissions in line with the science.
The proposed directive includes independent oversight mechanisms to ensure all “green claims” are substantiated and requires member states to ensure enforcement of the new guidelines through new powers for the competent authorities and to establish complaint procedures. Simultaneously, the European Commission is also considering a Carbon Removals Certification Framework proposal to regulate offset schemes. Hundreds of organisations have spoken out against this initiative, arguing that over-reliance on removals to offset ongoing emissions risks no net reductions in emissions.
Simply put, carbon offsets won’t save us. They have been proven a failure and are a barrier to real climate solutions. The proposed directive includes independent oversight mechanisms to ensure all “green claims” are
