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| Defra ups carbon offset standards | Defra ups carbon offset standards |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The UK government is to define criteria for carbon offsetting schemes to bring "greater clarity" to the industry. | The UK government is to define criteria for carbon offsetting schemes to bring "greater clarity" to the industry. |
| Environment Secretary David Miliband said offsetting was not "the answer" to climate change, but that the standards would "raise the bar". | Environment Secretary David Miliband said offsetting was not "the answer" to climate change, but that the standards would "raise the bar". |
| The standards will be based on schemes using certified credits, including those under the Kyoto protocol. | The standards will be based on schemes using certified credits, including those under the Kyoto protocol. |
| Mr Miliband said the new criteria would help consumers pick offsetting projects that entail "genuine" emission cuts. | Mr Miliband said the new criteria would help consumers pick offsetting projects that entail "genuine" emission cuts. |
| The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will name five providers that already meet the criteria, including Pure, Global Cool, Equiclimate and Carbon Offsets. | The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will name five providers that already meet the criteria, including Pure, Global Cool, Equiclimate and Carbon Offsets. |
| Confused | Confused |
| "I'm delighted that the government has finally acted to introduce some voluntary regulation into this industry," said Phil Levermore, managing director of Ebico, the not-for-profit energy firm behind Equiclimate. | "I'm delighted that the government has finally acted to introduce some voluntary regulation into this industry," said Phil Levermore, managing director of Ebico, the not-for-profit energy firm behind Equiclimate. |
| The first step should always be to see how we can avoid and reduce emissions David Miliband, Environment Secretary | The first step should always be to see how we can avoid and reduce emissions David Miliband, Environment Secretary |
| "Our research shows that many people who would consider offsetting are confused by the various ad hoc project-based schemes on offer." | "Our research shows that many people who would consider offsetting are confused by the various ad hoc project-based schemes on offer." |
| Carbon offsetting has grown hugely as a popular way to tackle climate change, but it has also faced criticism for its lack of transparency and regulation, as well as price inconsistency. | Carbon offsetting has grown hugely as a popular way to tackle climate change, but it has also faced criticism for its lack of transparency and regulation, as well as price inconsistency. |
| "The code of practice proposes that offset providers supply consumers with clear information and transparent prices," said Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander. | "The code of practice proposes that offset providers supply consumers with clear information and transparent prices," said Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander. |
| A Defra spokesperson said the move was intended to bring "greater clarity and certainty for business and consumers". | A Defra spokesperson said the move was intended to bring "greater clarity and certainty for business and consumers". |
| But she added: "It shouldn't be expected that everyone will meet it immediately, and we will be continuing to work with the offsetting industry and those who wish to offset." | But she added: "It shouldn't be expected that everyone will meet it immediately, and we will be continuing to work with the offsetting industry and those who wish to offset." |
| Avoiding emissions | Avoiding emissions |
| While the move should reassure consumers their money is well spent, Mr Miliband said offsetting "isn't the answer to climate change". | While the move should reassure consumers their money is well spent, Mr Miliband said offsetting "isn't the answer to climate change". |
| "The first step should always be to see how we can avoid and reduce emissions," he said. | "The first step should always be to see how we can avoid and reduce emissions," he said. |
| But that offsetting has a role because "some emissions can't or won't be avoided", he added. | But that offsetting has a role because "some emissions can't or won't be avoided", he added. |
| Mike Mason from Climate Care - one of the firms that would be brought under new regulation - told the BBC he disapproves of the government's approach. | |
| He said: "They've proposed a standard with no consultation with the industry and the standard that they're proposing, I believe, will do the environment a disservice. | |
| "It's not that we want low standards, but that we want things that amplify the existing arrangements and make use of the voluntary sector, not shut it down." | |
| Corrine Le Quere, an environmental scientist at the University of East Anglia said: "It is absolutely necessary that [offsetting] standards be implemented and regulated. At the moment anything is possible." | Corrine Le Quere, an environmental scientist at the University of East Anglia said: "It is absolutely necessary that [offsetting] standards be implemented and regulated. At the moment anything is possible." |
| Some speculate that the majority of existing UK schemes will not meet these standards, but Defra declined to comment on this. | Some speculate that the majority of existing UK schemes will not meet these standards, but Defra declined to comment on this. |