Friends of the Earth has urged caution following today?s Government challenge to the voluntary carbon offsetting industry by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn. The environmental campaigning group argues that the introduction of a landmark Government Code of Best Practice for consumer offsetting products will be of limited benefit to the environment. Even if the Code helps consumers make the most ethical choices when it comes to offsetting their carbon, it could be counter-productive by giving people the illusion that any amount of energy consumption is fine as long as they buy offsets.