Professional 'carbon cops' say it must be made easier for companies and individuals to help tackle climate change.
Climate Friendly, a firm which advises clients on how to shrink their carbon footprint, has called on the federal government to change the way the voluntary carbon offset scheme works.
Buying offsets means paying others - such as forestry companies - to reduce their emissions.
Climate Friendly chief executive Freddy Sharpe said that under the current system, people who wanted to do the right thing and voluntarily buy carbon offsets might think they weren't making a difference.
This is because any offsets they buy go towards meeting Australia's Kyoto target, which puts a lid on emissions. So, if they did not buy the offsets, someone else would do it anyway.
Mr Sharpe wants the system changed so voluntary offsets are not counted towards the Kyoto target.
"Voluntary offsets should be recognised as a separate contribution that is above and beyond what is legally required," Mr Sharpe said.
"We need to encourage all Australians ... to take action."
Climate Friendly proposed the change in its submission on the government's green paper on emissions trading, released today.
