The Carbon Credit Conundrum: A green solution or a licence to pollute?

On paper, the idea is simple and elegant. Polluters pay, green projects receive funding, and emissions are reduced overall...

Dr Michelle McKeown: "At their core, carbon credits function as permits to pollute. For every ton of carbon dioxide a company emits, it can purchase a corresponding credit."  

As the world grapples with the urgent challenge of climate change, carbon credits have emerged as both a promising tool and a controversial mechanism. These seemingly straightforward tool, designed to offset emissions and incentivise green practices, are now a central pillar of global climate policy. 

But behind their glossy appeal lies a host of problems that cast doubt on their effectiveness. What exactly are carbon credits, and why are they at the centre of such heated debate?