Why Carbon Offsets Are a Multi-Billion Dollar Gamble

Lucas and Luna go deep into the $2-billion voluntary carbon offset market—a mechanism designed to let companies cancel out their emissions by paying for projects like forest protection and clean cookstoves. They examine why a single offset can cost anywhere from $3 to $50, depending on quality, and how recent scandals have shattered trust in the system. Luna pushes back on whether offsets are just a distraction from real emission cuts. Lucas breaks down the difference between 'avoidance' credits and 'removal' credits, using the example of a Kenyan cookstove project to show how additionality is calculated—or faked. They also discuss the new Core Carbon Principles from the Integrity Council, which aim to clean up the market. By the end, you'll know exactly why a Delta Airlines offset might not be worth the paper it's printed on, and how to tell a good credit from bad. A nuanced look at whether market-based solutions can actually help solve climate change. #CarbonOffsets #VoluntaryCarbonMarket #ClimateEconomics #NetZero #Additionality #Greenwashing #IntegrityCouncil #COP29 #ForestProtection #Cookstoves #CarbonCredits #AvoidanceVsRemoval #DeltaAirlines #Kenya #Economics #ClimatePolicy #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo