Frances Medlock is a policy and law reform lawyer currently undertaking a Masters in Climate Change Policy & Politics in the Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy, University College London.
Carbon offsetting has been scientifically discredited. Yet, it lies at the heart of Australia’s flagship industry-focused climate policy. We dig into some of the biggest problems with offsets in general and in Australia’s scheme.
Australia’s key policy to decarbonise heavy industry is failing to drive emissions reductions because it allows polluters to use unlimited offsets—and the fossil fuel industry is the biggest beneficiary.
Everyone agrees the current laws are failing, but that doesn’t mean any change is an improvement. When it comes to offsets, it’s clear things are going to get worse not better.
