The voluntary carbon market, under development since 2012, remains above politic turmoil observed on the local, regional and continental offset carbon market.
The voluntary carbon market, under development since 2012, remains above politic turmoil observed on the local, regional and continental offset carbon market. Politic turbulences of the 2 last years have been noticed in Australia, follow-up the election and in Europe with the significant decrease of the ETS offset market’s value, threaten its existence. Follow up the Durban COP 17 in South Africa, we also observed the withdraw of Canada, Japan and Russia from Kyoto Protocol. Early 2014 in Quebec, a recommendation to suspend the application of the offset market has been proposed by the Commission sur les enjeux énergétiques du Québec
It is regrettable and hopelessly to notice this offset market instability in a context where the majority of the scientists and governments recognize the scale of the global challenges to avoid a temperature raise of 2oC. These same scientists claim that what we are undergoing is the result of the GHG emissions from human activities cumulated since 40 years. Yet, we cannot even stabilize GHG yearly emissions. They increase year after year. When can we expect a stabilisation, or even a first global GHG reduction, even that small?
Not only we are digging our own grave, but we are digging it more rapidly year after year. An absurdity, as underlined by Mr. Bill Gates, in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine in March 2014. Actually, the contribution of the voluntary carbon market to global GHG reduction target is still minor, but according to us, it will grow in the future. This market represents les than 0,2% of the global emissions and did not cover the worldwide annual rise.
The civil society is an important key link of the voluntary market. Beyond the quantitative reductions that they can bring, they can play a major role in our behaviour change through the motivation to act now as well as the stimulation and the realization of efforts, however small. The civil society can also creates a domino effect while stopping the cynicism and pessimism and create intergenerational involvement.
To comment our blog: [email protected]
Martin Clermont, CEO, Will Solutions