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Can a side hustler make money offering quick carbon-offset verification for small brands?

Notes from Chris

Episode 3219

Carbon offsets are supposed to balance out emissions—think funding a rainforest project to “cancel” the CO₂ from your flight. Buyers get a feel-good badge, but scandals keep surfacing about credits that never deliver the promised impact.

Early 2023 reporting by The Guardian and others revealed that many rainforest-protection offsets—used by airlines and coffee chains alike—were wildly over-credited or even worthless. Big corporations responded by hiring six-figure audit firms. Small brands and solo creators can’t afford that, yet they still tout “carbon-neutral” products on Instagram.

Today, a caller sees the credibility gap: offer a quick, affordable check that validates a customer’s offsets before critics (or regulators) call them out. Let’s see if that service can be both helpful and profitable without burying Mateo in paperwork.

“During my sustainability-management master’s, I learned a lot about carbon accounting. I’ve noticed eco-conscious people and companies brag about ‘offsetting’ their flights or packaging, but no one checks whether their credits are legitimate. I’m wondering if there’s a market for a small, third-party verification service—basically auditing an individual’s or small brand’s carbon offsets and issuing a simple validation report they can share online. Would anyone pay a few hundred dollars for that peace of mind, or do only large corporations buy certification? And how would I scope the work so I’m not drowning in paperwork for a tiny fee?”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

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