Offset all part of a carbon neutral future

A perfect political pledge as those making it will not be responsible or accountable for delivering it, while changing technology and international practices will go a long way to making it happen anyway.

Carbon neutrality will depend on a series of inter-connected actions. We will not wake up tomorrow to find fuel imports banned and only electric cars on the roads. But there will be a tipping point where the new technology is more attractive and affordable than the old.

A second cable link to France would do much to ensure that the diesel generators rarely need to be fired up, while storage systems should advance to make micro generation using renewables a very real option. Guernsey may find that investing in French offshore wind and tidal schemes in waters that surround us is a more cost-effective approach than building smaller scale schemes closer to home.

New build standards should ensure that houses and flats are well insulated, perhaps there will be States investment in helping other islanders improve their own homes.

Add this all up and we are making progress towards being a bona fide green island, especially if allied to the nascent green finance industry.

Carbon offset will have a role to play, too, and already does for some individuals and businesses. It is all about creating the opportunity and confidence that these schemes are genuine, a positive in the countries in which they happen and achieve measurable, sustainable results.

So we come to the idea of reforestation. If all goes to plan, we could have the opportunity to effectively create a little bit of Guernsey in Costa Rica through a locally managed scheme. Costa Rica is itself racing to become the first carbon neutral country in the world. There will be lots for others to learn from its actions.

If Guernsey walks the walk on carbon neutrality it will not only have environmental benefits, it also underpins its credentials when it comes to being a green finance centre, something that will help keep the economy strong.