DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
AND CLIMATE CHANGE News Release (Reference: 2009/023) issued by COI
News Distribution Service. 26 February 2009
Two measures were
announced today to help provide clarity and confidence for
consumers concerned about climate change:
* New Carbon offsetting quality mark
* Consultation on clear definition of "carbon neutral"
To help consumers easily identify carbon offsetting projects that
offer genuine carbon savings, the Government has developed the
Carbon Offsetting Quality Assurance Scheme.
Minister for Energy and Climate Change Joan Ruddock welcomed the
development of the offsetting quality mark saying:
"Information for consumers needs to be crystal clear and
people need to have confidence that their money is put to good
use. This new quality mark - developed with the industry - aims
to improve transparency and give confidence to people wanting to
offset their travel."
"Everyone should look for opportunities to reduce their
emissions. Where we can't avoid emissions, offsetting offers
a means of taking responsibility for them".
Carbon offsetting is a way of compensating for unavoidable carbon
emissions by making an equivalent carbon dioxide saving elsewhere.
Offsetting companies using the quality mark on their products
will need to have registered with the Carbon Offsetting Quality
Assurance Scheme, and will have demonstrated that their projects
are compliant with Kyoto standards to offer genuine, additional,
measurable carbon savings, thus bringing consistency and
transparency to the market place.
Today Joan Ruddock also launched a consultation proposing
improved stringency and greater consistency in the use of the term
"carbon neutral". The Minister added:
"The UK will need to live within set carbon budgets as we
reduce our emissions by 80% by 2050. This will be nothing short of
a revolution in the way we live and we need to ensure that terms
like 'carbon neutral' are not used carelessly but are
clear measures of what we can and will achieve."
The consultation recognises that the phrase "carbon
neutral" is in common use, but claims about being carbon
neutral can be unfounded. This clarification process, will ensure
businesses and consumers can be confident about the positive
decisions they make to take meaningful action in the fight against
climate change.
Notes to Editors
1. You can find further information on the Carbon Offsetting
Quality Assurance Scheme and a list of approved offsets at http://www.direct.gov.uk/actonco2
2. You can find information on how to apply for the quality mark
at http://www.defra.gov.uk/offsetting
3. You can find the consultation on the definition of carbon
neutral at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/open/carbon_neutrality/carbon_neutrality.aspx
4. The "Carbon Neutral" consultation proposes the
following definition: Carbon neutral means that - through a
transparent process of measuring emissions, reducing those
emissions and offsetting any unavoidable emissions - net
calculated carbon emissions equal zero.
Department of Energy and Climate Change
7th Floor, 3
Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HD
Public enquiries +44 (0)300
060 4000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740 (for those with hearing impairment)