Voluntary Carbon Offsets - "Getting What You Pay For

WASHINGTON – Eager to be part of the solution to global warming, many consumers, businesses and government agencies have turned to carbon pollution offsets to help reduce or eliminate their “carbon footprint.” While these offsets represent a promising way to engage consumers in global warming solutions, there are many unanswered questions as to the efficacy and accounting of these unregulated commodities.

On Wednesday, the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming will hold a hearing examining carbon offsets. Chairman Edward Markey (D-MA) will combine his extensive experience in consumer protection to explore the issues of transparency, effectiveness and other necessary questions to ensure carbon offsets can be a responsible way to address global warming on a consumer-based level.

WHAT: Select Committee hearing: “Voluntary Carbon Offsets—Getting What You Pay For”

WHERE: 2318 Rayburn House Office Building and on the web at globalwarming.house.gov

WHEN: Wednesday, July 18, 9:30 AM

WHO:
Derik Broekhoff, Senior Associate, World Resources Institute
Joseph Romm, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Thomas Boucher, President and Chief Executive Officer, NativeEnergy LLC
Russ George, President and Chief Executive Officer, Planktos, Inc.
Eric Blatchford, CEO, TerraPass

Click here for full hearing transcript

Return to Select Committee Hearing Testimony from the 110th Congress »