Winchester City Council has confirmed it will only use carbon offsetting as a 'last resort'.

Carbon offsetting has been discussed by civic chiefs to help achieve the council's carbon neutrality target of 2024. 

At the cabinet meeting on January 25, members were urged to seek alternative ways of reducing carbon emissions.

Cllr Malcolm Wallace, who represents the Green Party, gave a deputation to cabinet.
He said: “I have reservations over using the budget to offset carbon emissions. We need to cut our emissions as fast as we can. In order to do that, we need to invest in projects that make the biggest impact on our carbon emissions. Interventions range from more energy efficient homes and more electrical vehicle charging points. I urge the council to pause carbon offsetting and invest more in district-wide interventions.”

Cllr Neil Bolton said: “I'm pleased to see the administration recognises that carbon credits are a last resort. We need to invest this money in the wider district to reduce emissions.”

The Environment Agency describe carbon offsetting as: “The practice of reducing or removing greenhouse gas emissions to balance ongoing greenhouse gas emissions, in order to achieve claims such as climate neutrality or net zero.”

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The policy for Winchester City Council is a hierarchy approach of: carbon emission reduction, carbon credits creation, carbon removal and buying carbon credits from accredited UK schemes.

In the Cabinet's report, it said: “Based on a forward trajectory of carbon reductions, using the annual carbon footprint report, the council is likely to need to offset an estimated 1,500 tCO2e in residual carbon emissions at the end of 2024 in order to meet the target set in its 2019 climate emergency declaration.

“The clear direction of this policy is that offsetting should be considered as the last option and that carbon elimination, reduction and removal actions should be taken first. Only when the impossible to reduce emissions remain should the purchase of carbon offset credits be considered and then only from verified local or UK schemes.”

Cllr Kelise Learney said: “Buying carbon credits is very much a last resort. I agree that carbon offsetting is often used as an excuse for not changing behaviour. We hear how stars are jetting off on planes all the time and say it's fine because they've planted a few trees. Well it's not fine. As a council we need to act as a role model.”