Many corporations, organizations, and governments have made net zero commitments, and most are leaning on voluntary carbon offsetting to achieve these climate goals. But how can we be sure that such carbon offsets demonstrate a real change in the atmosphere? And how can we approach offsetting in a way that gives rise to an actual net zero society?

Eli Mitchell-Larson is a climate researcher and PhD candidate at the University of Oxford and the corresponding author of The Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting. He also serves as an advisor to Carbon Direct and is helping build a new carbon removal advocacy organization in Europe. On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Eli joins Ross to walk us through Oxford’s four principles, explaining why the guidelines prioritize decarbonizing first and then negating emissions.

Eli describes why he advocates for a shift to carbon removal offsetting and long-lived storage, discussing why he believes nature-based solutions are crucial—but may not be appropriate for carbon markets. Listen in to understand the argument of why companies must support the development of net zero aligned offsetting (and what that might look like) and learn how you can get involved in Eli’s burgeoning advocacy organization that serves as a champion for carbon removal.

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Resources

The Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting 2020

‘Prosets: Making Continued Use of Fossil Fuels Compatible with a Credible Transition to Net Zero’ on Research Square

Eli Mitchell-Larson on Twitter

Carbon Direct

CDR Advocacy Europe

CDR Advocacy’s Open Executive Director Role

Carbon Takeback Obligation

George Monbiot’s 2006 Article on Carbon Offsets

United Nations Race to Zero Campaign

Silvia Terra

The Blue Carbon Initiative

Carbon180

Carbon Dioxide Removal Primer