<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/germany-suspects-serious-environmental-crime-from-fake-big-oil-carbon-offset-projects/>
"German environment minister Steffi Lemke is demanding clarification from the
Federal Environment Agency (UBA) following allegations of fraudulent emission
reduction projects in China used by fossil fuel giants like Shell and
TotalEnergies to fulfil climate protection requirements in Germany, public
broadcaster ZDF reported.
“It is possible that we are dealing with a case of serious environmental crime
here,” said Lemke.
The UBA is currently examining 40 out of a total of 69 projects that it
approved in China and that had been validated and verified by German inspection
bodies, but possibly based on false information.
ZDF claims that more than a quarter of the so-called upstream emission
reduction projects (UER) are fake, and has estimated the value of the allegedly
fraudulent schemes at more than 600 million euros.
The UBA has commissioned an international law firm that also operates in China
to carry out an on-site inspection. It has also filed a criminal complaint with
the Berlin public prosecutor’s office, which has launched an initial
investigation.
Oil companies can use UER certificates to fulfil greenhouse gas reduction
quotas in Germany by reducing CO2 emissions during oil production.
While the government has shut down the UER system due to inadequate controls,
trading of UER certificates continues and cannot be stopped, according to the
environment t ministry.
Companies involved in trading have to take into account that acquired UER
certificates could turn out to be fake, however. The UBA has in the wake of the
fraud allegations also suspended a senior employee who was responsible for the
approval of the UER projects."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
