When the 2022 World Cup was first announced in Qatar, it left a number of people scratching their heads — not just because of the surprising choice in the host but also because tournament organizers claimed the games would be carbon-neutral.
Across the globe, from private corporations to state governments, there have been countless pledges to become carbon-neutral or pledges to reach"net zero" on all emissions. Net zero just refers to all harmful emissions, not just carbon dioxide. The carbon-neutral idea is a crucial part of climate pledges, but some lofty claims are met with warranted skepticism.
Last year, the offset market reached almost $1 billion in valuation for the first time. Yet, the market is still largely unregulated across the globe, which opens the door for some questionable claims of"additionality." Even in one of the states most friendly to aggressive green policies, studies have shown California's forest carbon-offset program likely overstated its emission reductions by as much as 80%.