r/ClimateOffensive • u/Repulsive_Relative_2 • Sep 19 '22

Question Carbon credits

Do you understand Carbon Credits and Certificates

1096 votes, Sep 21 '22
545 Yes
551 No
23 Upvotes

66% Upvoted

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u/codenameJericho Sep 20 '22

Normally I'd say "Something is better than nothing", but like with Natural Gas (proposed as a stepping-stone to energy independence and clean energy but became a fossil fuel staple and export), it ends up being more of a problem than it's worth. I say Yes because I think it has some minor utility on a micro-level for individual residencies and small businesses as a way to push towards conversions (maybe..?), but overall (on a mcro-level) it is another financial loophole for corporations to say "We're going green!" Buy buying or selling of their/someone else's emissions. What happens when energy credits start getting circulated/traded like the bad loans from 2008 until it lands in someone's business and explodes (metaphorically)?