June 20, 2007

Going “Carbon Neutral”: Risks and Realities

More and more organizations advertise their companies, facilities, events or even products as “carbon neutral.” Yet despite the outburst of interest in the concept, there is still no uniform agreement about what that means or how it can be verified. On June 20, 2007, this panel addressed the prospects of this fast-emerging idea and the voluntary market in carbon offsets that makes it possible. What are the issues that should be considered before setting a goal of carbon neutrality? What are the options available to offset carbon emissions? What goes into making a reasonable claim of carbon neutrality? What are the risks behind such claims (legal, reputational and otherwise)? Our panel of experts represented companies that buy carbon offsets, companies that sell carbon offsets, and the NGO community that is actively working on standards for this emerging market.

Chair:
K. Russell LaMotte, Beveridge & Diamond PC

Panelists:
Annika Colston, Vice President, Emission Reduction Projects, Blue Source, LLC
Adam Markham, Executive Director, Clean Air-Cool Planet
Erin Meezan, Director of Sustainable Development, Interface, Inc.
Jim Sullivan, Director, EPA Climate Leaders Program

Please click here for more information on the Understanding Climate Change Law seminar series.