Code of Best Practice for the carbon offsetting industry
Minister for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Waste Joan Ruddock has announced a voluntary Code of Best Practice for the offsetting industry. The Code is backed by strong support from the offsetting industry, business, environment NGOs and others.
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.
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.
In January, a draft Code was consulted on and a summary and analysis of responses has now published. The responses show 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. These issues 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 coordinated by the accreditation body.
Further decisions on the requirements of the Code 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.
Further information
Page published: 13 July 2007