As carbon offsetting faces ‘credibility revolution’, shoppers should be wary

‘Carbon neutral’ claims are often based on credits certified by Verra – and investigation has suggested many are worthless

• Biggest carbon credit certifier to replace its rainforest offsets scheme

The appeal is obvious: for a few pounds, we can – in theory – cancel out the damage we do to the planet by protecting a threatened rainforest.

We can fly and eat “carbon neutral” and even offset CO2 emissions from our breath, making our entire existence “carbon neutral” under the logic of offsetting. If only life were so simple.