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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| UK to tackle bogus carbon schemes | UK to tackle bogus carbon schemes |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The UK government is to set standards 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. |
| Its move comes as an increasing number of consumers try to limit the environmental impact of actions such as driving a car or flying by plane. | Its move comes as an increasing number of consumers try to limit the environmental impact of actions such as driving a car or flying by plane. |
| However, carbon offsetting schemes have been attacked for a lack of transparency and inconsistent prices. | However, carbon offsetting schemes have been attacked for a lack of transparency and inconsistent prices. |
| Environment Secretary David Miliband said the voluntary standards would help consumers pick "genuine" projects. | Environment Secretary David Miliband said the voluntary standards would help consumers pick "genuine" projects. |
| Trees and bulbs | Trees and bulbs |
| There are a number of ways that consumers can offset their carbon emissions, including paying for trees to be planted and buying energy efficient light bulbs for use in developing nations. | There are a number of ways that consumers can offset their carbon emissions, including paying for trees to be planted and buying energy efficient light bulbs for use in developing nations. |
| The worry for the government has been that the benefits of many of the projects have proved difficult to verify and may be open to abuse. | The worry for the government has been that the benefits of many of the projects have proved difficult to verify and may be open to abuse. |
| The government has named just four offset providers that meet its new guidelines. | |
| Pure, Global Cool, Equiclimate and Carbon Offsets are the four organisations 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. | 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". | 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." | 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' | 'No consultation' |
| The new standards will be based only on schemes that can be certified, including those under the Kyoto flexible mechanisms. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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." | "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." |
| Confused | Confused |
| Meanwhile others are grateful that what has been a hitherto confusing industry is being examined and made more clear. | Meanwhile others are grateful that what has been a hitherto confusing industry is being examined and made more clear. |
| "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. | "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." |
| 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. | 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. |
| The code of practice proposes that offset providers supply consumers with clear information and transparent prices. | The code of practice proposes that offset providers supply consumers with clear information and transparent prices. |
| Avoiding emissions | Avoiding emissions |
| 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 |
| Environment Secretary David Miliband said offsetting "isn't the answer to climate change". | 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. |
| 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." |