A company called SGS, who certifies companies as ISO compliant, has suggested that we could see an ISO standard for carbon offsetting in the future.

The International Standards Organisation is a powerful third party that sets standards that often become law. If it did approve a set of rules that quantify carbon offsetting, companies could then wear the ISO as a badge of honour should they pass the criteria.

Andy Whillance from SGS told me SGS already certifies businesses as ISO 14000 and 14001 compliant, which cover a range of environmental practices. Carbon offsetting could become a part of one of these or it could become a separate ISO.

The process could start within two years and he speculated further that such an ISO could be set in stone by 2013.

This is all rather worrying, because with carbon offsetting you're still responsible for the CO2 when you fly, turn on a computer or leave the fridge door open. The net carbon dioxide remains the same but we need a reduction in CO2 emissions, not just zero change, if we have any hope to avoid catastrophes predicted by the vast majority of respectable scientists.

Carbon offsetting is used by people who think they're making a change - when they're really not. What's more, planting trees (the carbon-offset cowboy's favourite) to offset carbon has already been disproven in the UK.

Flying is a particularly contentious issue because CO2 emitted at higher altitudes is thought to contribute to the carbon blanket more than emitting CO2 at ground level, so it's better to not fly at all.

Carbon offsetting is a guilt-washing concept for the lazy and it saddens me to hear tory-prime minister hopeful David Cameron promote it. Only the other day, when I flicked onto Newsround, I saw Cameron telling some kids he was allowed to make as many flights as he liked, because he offsets all of them; he deserves a clip around the ear for those ideas.