Exposing rainforest carbon credits: why offsetting isn’t working

A Guardian investigation has found that more than 90% of the carbon offsets verified by the company Verra did not reduce deforestation. Patrick Greenfield reports

Companies across the world rely on carbon offsetting credits as a way to display their green credentials, but a Guardian analysis of scientific studies has found that many rainforest carbon credits are worthless. The investigation into Verra, which is the world’s leading carbon standard for the offsetting market, found that the vast majority of credits being bought are likely to be “phantom credits”.

Verra has argued that the studies’ conclusions are incorrect, and questioned the methodology used. It also argues that its work has channelled billions of dollars into rainforest protection.