The Wire

Qantas came out this week with its plan to offset the environmental impacts of its flights. Passengers will now be able to opt for a “green” ticket, which means that an equivalent amount of trees will be planted to absorb the carbon from the passengers flight. But the Total Environment Centre believes that tree planting – which is not a government accredited offset scheme – will create more problems than it solves. They centre is currently conducting a survey of carbon neutralising companies in their report Carbon Neutral Watch – Corporates, Consultants and Credibility. TEC’s energy campaigner Jane Castle discussed the issue.