But this second problem is a problem that nobody can see and may not even exist. Even more importantly, nobody can say for sure whether any particular remedy solves this invisible problem. Aside from the issue of whatever D&S is spending today to offset their carbon, fundamentally carbon offsets cost money. And that money goes to people who do things to offset your carbon and decide when you have done enough. So that is why I see it as a very ominous slippery slope. Once you do a little to fix this problem, you acknowledge that the problem exists; and establish your obligation to completely fix it, without having any idea of the cost.
Indeed, business has to face this no-win situation. Voluntarily (or be forced to [via regulation]) take costly action to offset their "carbon pollution," or stand firm and fight both regulators and the public by doing nothing [except pay lawyers] and be branded an environmental polluter concerned more about profits than people and the environment. Is it any wonder that many energy companies are doing the former, no matter what they believe, to prevent even more draconian actions to come as a result of legislation or regulation?