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Defra ups carbon offset standards UK to tackle bogus carbon schemes
(about 2 hours later)
The UK government is to define criteria for carbon offsetting schemes to bring "greater clarity" to the industry. The UK government is to set standards 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 voluntary standards would "raise the bar". Environment Secretary David Miliband said the voluntary standards would "raise the bar" and help consumers pick projects with "genuine" emission cuts.
The standards, based on schemes using certified credits, including those under the Kyoto protocol. The market for such schemes has grown in popularity but it has been attacked for a lack of transparency and inconsistent prices.
Mr Miliband said the new criteria would help consumers pick offsetting projects that entail "genuine" emission cuts. The government has named just four projects that meet its new guidelines.
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will name four providers that already meet the criteria, including Pure, Global Cool, Equiclimate and Carbon Offsets. Pure, Global Cool, Equiclimate and Carbon Offsets are the four projects that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said met its standards.
However, Defra underlined that these non-binding standards are the start of a consultation period, not an accreditation scheme.
A Defra spokeswoman said the move aimed 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."
'No consultation'
The new standards will be based only on schemes that can be certified, including those under the Kyoto flexible mechanisms.
They've proposed a standard with no consultation with the industry Mike Mason, Climate Care
Typically this means schemes in developing countries such as through renewable technology or energy efficiency projects.
But the standards have met with mixed reactions. Mike Mason from offset firm Climate Care told the BBC he does not approve of the government's approach.
"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," he said.
"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."
ConfusedConfused
"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. Meanwhile others are grateful that what has been a hitherto confusing industry is being examined and made more clear.
The first step should always be to see how we can avoid and reduce emissions David Miliband, Environment Secretary "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, which meets Defra's standards.
"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 popular as a way to tackle climate change, but it has also faced criticism for its lack of transparency and regulation, as well as price inconsistency. Some carbon offsetting schemes have been criticised for failing to bring about real carbon emission reductions - because projects are hard to verify, reductions are only temporary or the reductions would have happened anyway.
BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee says that of the estimated 60 offsetting schemes available, only four meet the government's new gold standard, and none of these are being run in the UK. The code of practice proposes that offset providers supply consumers with clear information and transparent prices.
Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "The code of practice proposes that offset providers supply consumers with clear information and transparent prices."
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."
Avoiding emissionsAvoiding emissions
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 David Miliband, Environment Secretary
Environment Secretary David 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 offsetting has a role because "some emissions can't or won't be avoided", he added.But 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."