The moral conundrum of carbon credits

11/15/23 • 31 min

2 Listeners

Many of the world’s largest companies are setting net-zero climate goals, and they’re using carbon credits to get there. That means they can keep producing carbon emissions as long as they pay for emissions to be reduced elsewhere.

But do carbon credits actually incentivize companies to reduce their emissions?

On the show today, Pedro Martins Barata, associate vice president for carbon markets at the Environmental Defense Fund, explains what carbon credits are and the ethical concerns with companies relying on them to meet net-zero emissions goals. Plus, what future regulation of carbon markets could look like.

Then, we’ll unpack the good and bad news in the latest U.S. climate assessment. And, some industries are compensating for widespread staffing shortages by requiring employees to work excessive overtime.

Later, we’ll hear about how some farmers are combating climate change. And, this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question was inspired by a listener.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

- “Fossil-fuel company net zero plans ‘largely meaningless,’ report says” from Reuters
- “Carbon credit speculators could lose billions as offsets deemed ‘worthless’” from The Guardian
- “The Climate Solution Actually Adding Millions of Tons of CO2 Into the Atmosphere” from ProPublica
- “Analysis: How some of the world’s largest companies rely on carbon offsets to ‘reach net-zero’” from Carbon Brief
- “Action needed to make carbon offsets from forest conservation work for climate change mitigation” from Science
- “Carbon offsets: What are they and do they work?” from CNN Business
- “36-hour shifts, 80-hour weeks: Workers are being burned out by overtime” from NBC News
- “US climate assessment lays out growing threats, opportunities as temperatures rise” from Reuters
- “Farm fields don’t just feed us. They store carbon. But a big question is how much” from AP News

We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

But do carbon credits actually incentivize companies to reduce their emissions?

Later, we’ll hear about how some farmers are combating climate change. And, this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question was inspired by a listener.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

- “Fossil-fuel company net zero plans ‘largely meaningless,’ report says” from Reuters
- “Carbon credit speculators could lose billions as offsets deemed ‘worthless’” from The Guardian
- “The Climate Solution Actually Adding Millions of Tons of CO2 Into the Atmosphere” from ProPublica
- “Analysis: How some of the world’s largest companies rely on carbon offsets to ‘reach net-zero’” from Carbon Brief
- “Action needed to make carbon offsets from forest conservation work for climate change mitigation” from Science
- “Carbon offsets: What are they and do they work?” from CNN Business
- “36-hour shifts, 80-hour weeks: Workers are being burned out by overtime” from NBC News
- “US climate assessment lays out growing threats, opportunities as temperatures rise” from Reuters
- “Farm fields don’t just feed us. They store carbon. But a big question is how much” from AP News

We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Previous Episode

Has the movie business reached peak superhero?

Marvel Studios’ latest movie, “The Marvels,” had the franchise’s worst opening weekend. We’ll dig into whether superhero movies are a thing of the past and if theaters can get by without them. Then, another government shutdown may be around the corner. This time it could interfere with Thanksgiving travel plans. Plus, news you can use about online payment apps, and what would be your state’s signature cocktail?

Here’s everything we talked about:

- “‘The Marvels’ Disappoints at Box Office, Showcasing Disney’s Studio Challenge” from The Wall Street Journal
- “Payments app Zelle begins refunds for imposter scams after Washington pressure” from Reuters
- “Thanksgiving shutdown sets up nightmare scenario for travels” from The Hill
- “Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon Falls to a Five-Year Low” from The New York Times
- “Wisconsin snubs bourbon by elevating the brandy old fashioned to state cocktail status” from AP News
- A Michelada recipe from The Los Angeles Times

If you’ve got a question, comment or submission for a state drink, send them our way. We’re at 508-UB-SMART or email [email protected]

Next Episode

What would a Starlink IPO mean for Elon Musk’s geopolitical clout?

Elon Musk today disputed claims that an initial public offering is in the works for his satellite business Starlink, an offshoot of SpaceX. But hypothetically speaking, would more eyes on Starlink following an IPO change the way Elon Musk operates on the global stage? And, an influential liberal super PAC is ditching TV ads. We’ll get into what that tells us about political campaigning in the modern age. Plus, let the holiday party invites start flowing!

Here’s everything we talked about today: