The fantasy of carbon offsetting

Watt, Robert

doi:10.1080/09644016.2021.1877063

Cited by 53 publications

(28 citation statements)

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“…If any agri-food applications of microalgae were formally recognized as offset options, this could provide a mechanism for those delivering these applications to earn income from these markets. While the theory that offsetting is mutually beneficial has sometimes proven problematic in practice (Watt, 2021), efforts to foster sound offsetting practice continue (Allen et al, 2020). Notwithstanding such competing perspectives, one critical reality is that the agri-food uses of microalgae flagged as possible CC mitigation options could, it seems, also foster climate resilience based on the available evidence (Table 7).…”

Section: Agri-food Applications Of Microalgae and CC Mitigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Could microalgae offer promising options for climate action via their agri-food applications?

Siedenburg

2022

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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In 2021 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued the first volume of its latest authoritative report on climate change. Underlining the seriousness of the situation, the United Nations Secretary-General branded its findings a “code red for humanity.” The need for climate action is now evident, but finding viable pathways forward can be elusive. Microalgae have been attracting attention as a category of “future food,” with species like Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) and Chlorella vulgaris (chlorella) seeing growing uptake by consumers while research interest continues to expand. One timely but neglected question is whether microalgae might offer options for promising climate actions via their agri-food applications. Specifically, might they offer scope to help secure food supplies, while also providing climate resilient livelihood pathways for vulnerable farmers already grappling with food insecurity and environmental degradation? This paper reports on a review of the academic literature on microalgae as an agri-food technology, notably their uses as a food, feed, biofertilizer, biostimulant, and biochar. This family of applications was found to offer promising climate actions vis-à-vis both mitigating and adapting to climate change. Aspects pertinent to adaptation include growing rapidly under controlled conditions, reusing water, providing potent nutrition for humans and animals, and supporting resilient crop production. Agri-food applications of microalgae also provide opportunities to mitigate climate change that could be explored. The paper concludes by flagging possible risks and obstacles as well as research and policy priorities to elaborate and harness this potential.

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Section: Agri-food Applications Of Microalgae and CC Mitigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Could microalgae offer promising options for climate action via their agri-food applications?

Siedenburg

2022

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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“…Local communities in the developing world can be negatively affected by the introduction of carbon offset-based forest management (Brockington and Ponte, 2015). Watt (2021) offers a stinging rebuke of offsets, arguing that they are ideological fantasies which offer only “illusory promises” that serve only to “absolve the subject of their carbon ‘sins’” with no real sense of climate justice (p. 15). In the end, offsets remain ecologically and morally questionable, especially in comparison to not having emissions to offset in the first place.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

University air travel and greenhouse gas mitigation: an analysis of higher education climate policies

Schmidt

2022

IJSHE

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Purpose Numerous higher education institutions have created policies that aim to reduce their carbon footprints. Most policies focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to energy production and consumption. One area that has received less attention has been greenhouse gas emissions from university air travel. The purpose of this paper is to understand how US higher education institutions address university air travel emissions. Design/methodology/approach The present research used qualitative document analysis to examine the climate policies of 44 doctoral institutions. The analysis sought to establish themes across a range of climate policy documents from the sampled institutions. Intercoder consensus, peer review and member checking were used to increase the reliability and validity of the analysis. Findings Five major themes emerged from the documents: no consideration of air travel, lack of quality data for accurate consideration, recommendations to offset air travel emissions, support for videoconferencing and other suggestions for mitigation. These themes are discussed in detail, as are practical suggestions and implications stemming from this and related research. Research limitations/implications The research is based on a sample of US doctoral institutions and their public documents. It is therefore limited in its generalizability. Practical implications Institutions need to create a culture in which individual behavior changes toward lower travel are supported. Though problematic, institutions in the USA need to strive to implement suggested offset programs. Given the ubiquity of virtual presence, institutions need to further support videoconferencing. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is among the first to examine how higher education institutions in the USA address air travel emissions.

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“…1. See this brief list of philosophical treatments (or analyses with philosophical considerations included): (Aldred, 2012;Caney, 2010;Goodin, 1994;Page, 2011Page, , 2013Watt, 2021).…”

Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Carbon offsetting remains contentious within, at least, philosophy (Aldred, 2012;Caney, 2010;Goodin, 1994;Page, 2011Page, , 2013Watt, 2021). 1 By posing and then answering a general question about an aspect of the morality of carbon offsetting-Does carbon offsetting make luxury emissions morally permissible?-this essay helps to lessen some of the topic's contentiousness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Morality of Carbon Offsets for Luxury Emissions

Broadhead

Placani

2021

World Futures

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Carbon offsetting remains contentious within, at least, philosophy. By posing and then answering a general question about an aspect of the morality of carbon offsetting-Does carbon offsetting make luxury emissions morally permissible?-this essay helps to lessen some of the topic's contentiousness. Its central question is answered by arguing and defending the view that carbon offsetting makes luxury emissions morally permissible by counteracting potential harm. This essay then shows how this argument links to and offers a common starting point for further examination of offsetting across various disciplines and domains, such as policy and other branches of philosophy like the ethics of risk.

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The fantasy of carbon offsetting

Cited by 53 publications

References 53 publications

Could microalgae offer promising options for climate action via their agri-food applications?

Could microalgae offer promising options for climate action via their agri-food applications?

University air travel and greenhouse gas mitigation: an analysis of higher education climate policies

The Morality of Carbon Offsets for Luxury Emissions

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