Can we ever give up offsets?

You might have heard about how important carbon sequestration and offsets are to combat climate change, but have you ever wondered if there will be a time when they’re no longer needed?

Photo by Timo C. Dinger

Carbon offsets usually fund forest projects to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. But starting in 2025, carpet manufacturer Interface will direct its resources toward exploring manufacturing processes that remove or store carbon. Additionally, they plan to boost their circular economy processes, where materials are reused, repurposed, or recycled.

This puts Interface in a small club of companies, including Microsoft, that have moved away from offsets. As of May, Interface has discontinued its carbon credit programs, which previously supported third-party-verified efforts in Kenya, the Congo, and Cambodia. This move reflects a growing awareness of the limitations and controversies surrounding carbon offsets, as they sometimes turn out to be ineffective or unreliable.

However, it's crucial to recognize that sustainable forest management and natural carbon sequestration remain essential components of our climate strategy. These methods, especially those that have been verified, are vital until we reach a stage where industrial and technological solutions can sufficiently mitigate carbon emissions on their own. Forests play a critical role in absorbing CO2, maintaining biodiversity, and supporting ecosystems. Therefore, while companies like Interface focus on innovative manufacturing processes, ongoing efforts in sustainable forestry are necessary to bridge the gap to a carbon-negative future.

To make this bridge stronger, you can support one of our forest programs.

Sources:

Interface |  https://www.greenbiz.com/article/no-more-funding-forests-cambodia-interface-ending-offsets-go-carbon-negative.

GreenBiz | https://www.greenbiz.com/article/5-startups-fighting-forever-chemicals.