DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref
:216/07) issued by The Government News Network on 13 July 2007
A voluntary Code
of Best Practice for the offsetting industry will be established,
backed by strong support from the offsetting industry, business,
environment NGOs and others.
Minister for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Waste Joan Ruddock
announced the decision on the publication of the summary and
analysis of responses to the draft Code, which was published in January.
Joan Ruddock said:
"While avoiding or reducing our emissions as much as
possible has to be the first priority in fighting climate change,
we have to be realistic about how much people will do - and
that's where offsetting has an important role to play.
"People need to be sure that when they buy an offsetting
product the emissions reductions are actually taking place, which
is why we are developing this Code, which will be accompanied by a
quality mark for accredited products.
"An overwhelming majority of respondents to the consultation
are in favour of a voluntary code for offsetting products to deal
with the risk that without recognised standards consumer
confidence could be damaged and the potential impact of offsetting reduced.
"In light of that clear consensus, I am pleased to confirm
that we will establish a Code of Best Practice, which we aim to
have in place by the end of the year. It will provide clarity and
assurance for consumers and encourage the industry to develop further."
The Code will be voluntary, meaning that offsetting providers or
companies that sell offsets alongside their goods and services
will be able to choose whether they want to seek accreditation for
some or all of their products.
The consultation also demonstrated strong support for including
certified credits from the regulated (Kyoto) market. There was a
broad range of views on whether other kinds of credits should be
included in the Code. Along with a majority of respondents
supporting Kyoto-recognised credits, many also felt that the Code
should include high-quality Voluntary Emission Reductions (VERs)
from the non-regulated market, with a number of suggestions for
doing so. This issue will be considered further as Defra develops
the Code.
There also appeared to be consensus that the Code should require
offsetters to use accurate, consistent emissions figures and
factors. This work will be co-ordinated by the accreditation body.
Further decisions on the code's requirements will be
announced later in the summer. The final code will be developed in
the autumn by the accreditation body working closely with Defra,
and in light of stakeholder views. The partial Regulatory Impact
Assessment prepared for the consultation will be reviewed and
revised, taking into account responses to the consultation.
The summary and analysis of responses is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/carbonoffsetting-cop/index.htm
Notes to Editors
1. Defra launched a consultation on its proposed Code of Best
Practice on 16 January 2007.
2. Offsetting is a way of compensating for emissions produced
with an equivalent carbon saving, lessening the impact of a
consumer's actions. Consumers can offset a particular
activity, such as a flight; their emissions over a period of time,
such as their annual car mileage; or across their entire lifestyle
or business, including all of the gas and electricity they consume
and their emissions from transport.
3. Carbon offsetting involves calculating emissions and then
purchasing equivalent credits from emission reduction projects
that have prevented or removed the emission of an equivalent
amount of carbon dioxide somewhere else.
4. Certified credits are those emission reduction credits that
come from the existing compliance market, that is Certified
Emission Reductions (CERs), EU Allowances (EUAs) and Emission
Reduction Units (ERUs). The Kyoto compliant sector refers to
emission reduction projects and measures provided for under the
Kyoto Protocol. These are collectively known as 'flexible
mechanisms' and consist of the Clean Development Mechanism
(CDM), Joint Implementation (JI) and international emission
trading schemes. Countries with Kyoto targets to reduce their
emissions can use the flexible mechanisms to help them achieve
those targets. More information is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/internat/kyotomech/index.htm.
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on our website http://www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
To subscribe or unsubscribe to Defra's mailing list go to:
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/ Once
on the GNN website see Sign up
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Website
http://www.defra.gov.uk