By Fathima Sumayya

In the race to become ‘net zero’, more and more companies are turning to carbon credits to offset their emissions. On paper, it sounds like a win: emit carbon here, pay someone to reduce it somewhere else and you’re off the hook.

But let’s pause for a reality check…

Behind many of these offset purchases is a different story- one that’s not shared in glossy sustainability reports or corporate websites. It’s a story where ambitious net-zero targets quietly become unachievable and instead of changing how business is done, companies reach for their wallets. No talk of reducing flights, switching to renewables or rethinking their supply chain. Just an expensive offset, likely bought as a last-minute fix.

So, where’s the problem?
When companies skip the hard work and buy their way to “net zero” they’re not solving the climate crisis- they’re outsourcing responsibility. It sends a dangerous message: that climate action can be bought not earned.

Let’s ask a few uncomfortable questions:
• Could everyone carry on polluting at the current rate and just offset?
• Could there ever be enough offsetting to go around?
• Could offsetting work in time to solve the climate crisis by 2050?

The answer, simply, is no.

Offsetting is limited- not just in scale, but in time. Trees, for instance, can take anywhere between 40 and 100 years to absorb the carbon we’re emitting today. We don’t have that long. The climate crisis is urgent, and the clock is ticking.

Even if we planted every available tree, there wouldn’t be enough land or time to balance out the current level of global emissions. In other words: offsetting is not a plan- it’s a stall.

The UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) has been clear on this. In their ‘Balanced Pathway’ scenario for reaching net zero by 2050, the CCC found that the vast majority of emissions reductions must come from direct action- within sectors, within companies, within supply chains. The CCC sees carbon offsetting as a last resort for emissions that are impossible to eliminate, not as a replacement for real, sustained internal change

When credits are used as a shortcut instead of a supplement, it’s not climate leadership- it’s greenwashing.

Lets be clear here, what does net zero actually mean?
Real net zero means real change in how a company operates.
It means challenging questions: Can we travel less? Can we reduce waste or procedure goods with less embodied emissions? Can we use sustainable energy? Can we use sustainable energy?

And no, it does not mean continuing with business-as-usual and cutting a cheque to look clean on paper.

What should businesses aim for?
• Transparency: If you’re buying offsets, be clear about how much you’re reducing internally vs how much you’re offsetting.
• Priority to internal reduction: Don’t just rely on credits, demonstrate real change within your operations.
• Long-term vision: Sustainable business is not about quick wins. It’s about building a resilient, responsible organisation.

Let’s shift the focus from offsetting to owning emissions. That’s where real impact lies.

Public open spaces, those havens of green amidst the urban jungle, are more than just places to relax. They’re vital components of a thriving, sustainable city, contributing to a healthy environment, a strong community, and a happy populace. In a world striving to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), green spaces are emerging as a powerful tool.

Greener Cities, Healthier People (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being)

Imagine a city where parks are plentiful, offering residents a chance to escape the concrete and reconnect with nature. Studies show that access to green spaces encourages physical activity, reduces stress, and even improves cognitive function. This translates to a healthier population, aligning with SDG 3. Public spaces promote walking, cycling, and outdoor games, all contributing to a drop in non-communicable diseases.

Parks for People, Power for the Planet (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Green spaces go beyond personal health. They play a crucial role in creating sustainable cities, as highlighted by SDG 11. Trees and plants act as natural filters, absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen, leading to cleaner air (SDG 13: Climate Action). They also help regulate urban heat islands, a growing concern in a warming world. Additionally, well-designed green spaces can manage stormwater runoff, preventing flooding (SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation).

Building a More Equitable City (SDG 5: Gender Equality)

Green spaces aren’t just good for the environment; they foster social cohesion too. Parks and plazas become vibrant community hubs, bringing people together from all walks of life. This is particularly important for women and girls (SDG 5: Gender Equality). Safe, well-lit public spaces empower them to move freely and participate in community life, fostering a sense of security and belonging.

Growing Economies with Greener Cities (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth)

The benefits of green spaces extend to the economy as well (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth). Studies have shown that areas with ample green space have higher property values and attract tourism. Public spaces can also provide valuable workspaces for informal vendors, contributing to the local economy.

The Path Forward: Prioritising Green

The solution lies in recognising the multifaceted value of green spaces and integrating them into urban planning. Cities need to prioritise creating and maintaining parks, playgrounds, and green corridors. This can involve innovative solutions like rooftop gardens and vertical forests.

By embracing green spaces, cities can become healthier, happier, and more sustainable places to live. Public open spaces are not a luxury; they’re an investment in our future and a key to achieving the SDGs for a better world.

Using the secondary benefits of careful lighting control can be a driver to energy reduction. Favouring and maximising natural daylight in office spaces can not only lead to office workers being more productive, but also improving well being.

What are the 5 key benefits to maximising natural daylight?

1. Increased alertness: Exposure to natural light helps regulate the body’s internal clock and promotes wakefulness. This can lead to improved focus and alertness among office workers.
2. Mood enhancement: Natural light has a positive impact on mood and can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. A pleasant working environment with ample daylight can contribute to a more positive and productive mindset.
3. Better sleep quality: Exposure to natural light during the day helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. When office workers have better sleep quality, they are more likely to be well-rested and perform better during working hours.
4. Improved cognitive performance: Studies have shown that natural light can enhance cognitive function, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. This can lead to higher productivity and efficiency in completing tasks.
5. Eye health: Adequate natural light can reduce eye strain and the risk of developing certain eye conditions associated with poor lighting, such as eyestrain, dry eyes, and headaches.

To maximize the benefits of natural light, office spaces are often already designed with large windows. However, many windows are often obscured by blinds at times when neither heat or glare needs to be reduced. Having a strategy of when to use the blinds and when not to, can enhance the level of natural daylight and reduce the need for artificial light.

Setting intelligent lighting system in zones away from sources of natural light can dim lighting when light levels are adequate, and using light-coloured walls and reflective surfaces can help distribute natural light throughout the space.

Much effort is made in designing new towns to meet certain minimum standards in terms of active travel (walking and cycling) and proximity to services, and come to expect advertising that hints at new buildings being sustainable as almost a given. In reality though, the achievements for new developments versus re-vitalising established areas of our towns are little more than tick box. The World Green Building Forum estimated in 2019 that over half of the carbon emissions from new construction take place before a new development even starts.

Areas such as the Ramsgate Historic Quarter have grown organically and have created community. Re-using the buildings to their best potential makes real sense. Regeneration schemes such as this offer a moment to pause and re-think. What is the purpose of our streets and is the way we are using them to allow speeding cars to race by preventing us from utilising streets to walk, cycle, chat to our neighbours and connect with the world around us.

A study by Audrey de Nazelle, of Imperial College London, compared technological solutions for active travel to behavioural solutions for walking and cycling and found over 20 times the benefits from walking and cycling. The improvements in physical and mental well-being, simply from the ordinary interactions that take place as a result of less car use have much wider and longer-term impacts for us as people.

Early stages of improvement are underway at the Historic Quarter with new street lighting furniture that not only provides adequate lighting but also creates a sense of shared space. Good luck to all involved.

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