Australian councils are being challenged to do more locally to reduce emissions, rather than using international projects to offset carbon emissions.
The Guardian reports on research that has found the majority of rainforest offset credits are likely “phantom credits” and do not represent genuine carbon reductions.
At least fifteen councils across Australia are believed to have invested significant funds into trading offsets to claim carbon-neutral status.
Councils named in the report include Brisbane (Qld), Subiaco (WA), Woollahra (NSW), and Merri-bek, Moonee Valley, Maroondah and Yarra in Melbourne (Vic). Read the Guardian report here.