There’s a debate about how companies should be recognized for buying carbon offsets based on avoiding emissions. Better to call them “carbon responsible” instead. A section of forest in part of the Natura 2000 nature protection areas in Kirkkonummi, Finland. Photographer: Roni Rekomaa/Bloomberg Companies are buying carbon offsets like never before . They’re also facing unprecedented scrutiny over whether helping to fund green projects elsewhere really makes up for their heat-trapping emissions. The most common offsets are based on avoiding the release of additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, for example by preventing deforestation or supporting renewable energy projects. The other, much more expensive, option is to fund programs that actually remove CO₂ by planting forests or employing machines that capture greenhouse gas from the air and store them away. Should companies be allowed to use cheaper “avoided emissions” to deliver on their promises to eliminate pollution? The Science […]