Giving Compass' Take:

• Patrick Lau discusses how carbon offsetting is controversial, but in some cases, it may be the appropriate way to balance out emissions.

• From banks to builders, more companies are going carbon neutral. How can you help encourage others to go carbon neutral?

• Learn even more about carbon neutral to carbon negative. 

The term “carbon neutral” is being increasingly slung around alongside phrases like “net zero emissions”.

From paint manufacturers and the livestock industry, to banks and developers, more corporations in diverse industries are announcing plans to go carbon neutral.

It’s a simple enough idea: the sum of all the greenhouse gases that you put into and take out of the atmosphere should balance out to zero. But in practice, it’s proven to be a confusing and divisive concept. Eco-Business breaks down the basics behind carbon neutrality.

Why go carbon neutral?
In theory, a carbon-neutral version of a product or service is better for the environment than its carbon-producing equivalent.

For organisations that understand the triple-bottom line (social, environmental and financial) impact of greenhouse gas emissions, that’s reason enough to work towards carbon neutrality.

For those that don’t, increasing consumer and voter concern with climate change may force their hand.

“The world has changed a lot in the past 10 years,” says Andrew Koscharsky, chief commercial officer of Singapore electricity retailer iSwitch, which offers its customers the option of carbon-neutral electricity. “And we find that customers are much more interested in dealing with a sustainable retailer who offers clean energy.”

So who’s doing it?
Who isn’t? Airlines and event management companies were early movers into carbon neutrality, allowing their customers to add a small donation to their ticket to offset their individual carbon emissions.

Read the full article about carbon neutrality by Patrick Lau at Eco-Business.