|
|
|
|
|
|
by felipeerias
1339 days ago
|
|
|
Industrial corporations in the EU can offset their carbon emissions (and the associated taxes) by sponsoring the plantation of trees. The calculation of this carbon offset is based on the expected carbon capture of a tree over several decades, even if at the moment it is just a sapling. This summer a Dutch tree-planting company accidentally started a fire in Spain that burnt a much wider surface of forest than what they had planted. As a local major put it: "they were going to plant 200 hectares and ended up burning 1,000 hectares covered with 50-year old pine trees". https://www.heraldo.es/noticias/aragon/huesca/2022/07/20/los...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/22/reforestation-...
https://landlifecompany.com/news/land-life-statement-july-21... I wouldn't be surprised if, from the point of view of carbon taxes, the saplings that were burnt in the fire were accounted as having offset carbon emissions just as much if they had lived a full life. Presumably, the new saplings that will be planted on their ashes will be accounted by the same amount. |
|
|
The carbon offset market is deep with scams [1]. Most have no fix. The problem you mention does: issue offsets for trees buried, i.e. carbon sequestered, not planted.
[1] https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/05/10/1024751/carbon-c...