Eighty percent of the world's largest companies claim net-zero targets, but only 11% have actually cut emissions. Most rely on carbon offsets instead: they emit 100 tons of CO2, buy credits claiming to remove that amount elsewhere, and call themselves carbon-neutral on paper without changing anything.
80% of the world's largest companies have a net zero target. Only 11% have actually cut their emissions. Why have only 11% actually reduced anything? Because a target is not a plan. Target is a promise. And to fill the gap between the promise and reality, companies reach for one tool: carbon offsets. Here is how it works. A company emits 100 tons of carbon. Instead of cutting that 100 tons, it buys a credit that claims to remove 100 tons somewhere else. On paper, it balances. One ton in, one ton out. Carbon neutral, job done. The company updates its website, mentions it on every investor call.
