Carbon standard 'to renew trust' - BBC News

Summary:
The Carbon Trust has introduced a new benchmark, the "Carbon Trust Standard", for companies that show "real reductions in carbon footprint year-on-year." The goal is to rebuild public trust in the green claims made by firms as well rewarding companies that can demonstrate ongoing improvements. Companies that paid a third party to offset emissions on their behalf do not qualify. Three rules underpinning the standard: measurement, management and reduction of the carbon footprint. Trust is looking to see that an organisation has the appropriate governance, senior management involvement, appropriate policies and good carbon accounting processes. (Published: 24/06/08)

Notes:

• new Carbon Trust benchmark
  
• goal: to rebuild public trust in the green claims made by firms
• in response to the public's growing mistrust of companies' claims to be cutting their greenhouse gas emissions
• by highlighting businesses which have made genuine cuts in emission
• Carbon Trust Standard will only be issued to UK organisations that show "real reductions year-on-year"
• companies that paid a third party to offset emissions on their behalf would not qualify
• Tom Delay, CEO Carbon Trust
• "What businesses and consumers both share is a desire for one, credible way to prove that an organisation has not only measured, but actually reduced their carbon emissions year-on-year without the use of offsetting."
• offsetting industry
  
• has become a key player in the effort to reduce emissions
• businesses or individuals wanting to offset their emissions pay a third party, who then invests the money in clean energy projects or tree planting programmes
• In theory: the payment ensures that the emissions are offset by an equivalent carbon saving
• But: a number of schemes were criticised for failing to deliver on their promises
• Harry Morrison, Carbon Trust: "We want businesses to focus on taking action themselves and reducing their own emissions"
• standard was underpinned by three rules:
  
1. measurement of the carbon footprint
2. management of the carbon footprint
3. reduction of the carbon footprint
• Harry Morrison:
• "In order to pass the scheme, you need to have an actual numerical and quantified carbon footprint."
• "The second thing is that you need to be reducing the footprint over time."
• "Management is important because it shows whether an organisation actually has the processes in place to drive the reductions over the coming years."
• "So we are looking to see that an organisation has the appropriate governance, senior management involvement, appropriate policies and good carbon accounting processes."
• "All of that has to happen in-house."
• Twelve organisations have been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard to date
• six companies and six public bodies
• Once accredited, holders of the standard have to deliver year-on-year reductions in carbon emissions.
• Harry Morrison:
• "We think it is the first scheme in the world that rewards companies that can demonstrate ongoing improvements."
• "It is true that this is robust, and it will become even more challenging for organisations, but we are living in a time where we have to keep driving down emissions."