As carbon offsetting faces ‘credibility revolution’, shoppers should be wary

Carbon neutral' claims are often based on credits certified by Verra - and investigation has suggested many are worthless

• Biggest carbon credit certifier to replace its rainforest offsets scheme

The appeal is obvious: for a few pounds, we can - in theory - cancel out the damage we do to the planet by protecting a threatened rainforest.

We can fly and eat carbon neutral" and even offset CO₂ emissions from our breath, making our entire existence carbon neutral" under the logic of offsetting. If only life were so simple.