In a bold statement against the efficacy of carbon offsets, over 60 prominent climate scientists from nine countries, including the UK, US, and Australia, have issued a “real zero pledge,” arguing that reliance on such offsets is “ineffectual” and impeding the transition to sustainable energy.
Organized by the Lethal Humidity Global Council, the pledge emphasizes that achieving genuine emissions reductions—termed “real zero”—is the only viable strategy to mitigate escalating climate impacts.
Among the notable signatories are Professor Michael Mann from the University of Pennsylvania, Professor Johan Rockström of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Bill Hare, founder of Climate Analytics and a member of a UN expert group that has raised alarms over the overuse of carbon offsets.
Hare stated, “We should be focused on real reductions in emissions, rather than engaging in a counting game,” highlighting the necessity for tangible climate action.
Concerns have been mounting regarding the integrity of carbon offset programs, particularly those tied to forest conservation and land-use projects, which may not effectively contribute to emission reductions.
The Lethal Humidity Global Council urges immediate fossil fuel phase-out to combat climate change.Professor Katrin Meissner from the University of New South Wales warned that these initiatives cannot guarantee long-term carbon sequestration, as factors like droughts and wildfires could release stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
The pledge underscores the urgency of immediate action, with Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick from the Australian National University emphasizing that the concept of “net zero” is merely a temporary solution that fails to address the root causes of climate change.
As the world grapples with the consequences of rising temperatures and humidity, scientists advocate for an unequivocal phase-out of fossil fuels to ensure compliance with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The Lethal Humidity Global Council, which addresses the health threats posed by rising temperatures and humidity levels, has rallied support for this initiative through the Minderoo Foundation, co-founded by Andrew Forrest.
Forrest has previously described the pursuit of net-zero emissions as a “fantasy,” urging corporations to prioritize the cessation of fossil fuel use over superficial offsetting strategies.