An environmental charity has challenged a claim from Manx Gas that the company became 100% carbon-neutral this summer.

The Manx Geological Survey says 26% of the island would need to be covered in new forestry to offset the carbon dioxide created, and make the product ’carbon neutral’.

Dr Dave Quirk of the MGS said: ’The natural gas currently used for heating and cooking in the Isle of Man would require the equivalent of 75,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide to be captured on an annual basis for it to be carbon neutral. This would take approximately 15,000 hectares of new forest in the form of trees which would otherwise not be grown or supported by any other offset scheme.’

Manx Gas produces nearly 10% of the island’s carbon dioxide emissions.

Dr Quirk said: ’In 2019, Manx customers used around 1.14 billion cubic feet of gas for heating and cooking, or an average of 13,500 cubic feet of gas per person.

’This has resulted in direct emissions of 62,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide, or an average of 0.74 tonnes per person - 9% of the Isle of Man’s emissions of carbon dioxide. More gas is used in Pulrose power station to produce electricity but this is not included in these calculations.’

Manx Gas has responded by stating it buys ’carbon credits’, where companies with a high level of emissions and few options for reduction can contribute to the sustainable development of poor communities.

A spokesperson said: ’Manx Gas has purchased high quality VERRA (verified carbon standard) approved carbon offsets to cover the CO2 produced by burning gas on the island.’

Manx Gas is supporting rainforest ecosystems and their local populations in West Africa and Sierra Leone.