Carbon offsetting 'should be the final step in carbon management'

Carbon offsetting should be the last step in a broader programme of carbon management, it has been claimed.

Businesses and individuals can offset their emissions output, calculate their carbon footprint and subsequently purchase carbon credit through emission reduction schemes; however, this should be regarded as a last port of call, according to the Carbon Trust.

Hugh Jones, solutions director at the Carbon Trust, suggested that carbon offsetting should only be considered as an option once all other avenues have been explored, such as improving energy efficiency.

Businesses, for example, should aim to deliver low carbon products and services.

"This approach delivers a double bottom line benefit of reducing energy costs and avoiding the costs incurred through offsetting, not to mention doing the right thing for the environment," Mr Jones said.

The UK's small and medium-sized enterprises are responsible for 110 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year, according to AXA.