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DEFRA Code
DEFRA issued a consultation on developing a Code of Best Practice for Carbon Offsetting in January 2007. The consultation document can be found here.
On January 19 2008, the UK government's Environmental Secretary, Hilary Benn, announced the government's offsetting code of practice
The key points from the code of practice are:
- Positive endorsement of the role of offsetting alongside carbon reduction measures. “If people are trying to reduce their impact on the climate, the first thing they should do is to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint. But realistically, there are emissions that can’t or won’t be avoided, and that’s where offsetting can play an important role.”
- Adoption of Kyoto-compliant credits including Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) as the only compliant credits at the start of the programme. Other credits may be added if they come up to the same standard. “Compliance credits, also known as Kyoto credits, offer consumers a transparent system which allow consumers to trace their offset credits back to the projects that have generated them and to scrutinise the full audit trail for each project and each tonne of emissions”
- A quality mark for accredited products. “Emissions offset through accredited products will be calculated consistently and correctly, and consumers will be provided with clear information and transparent prices.”
Carbon Passport welcomes DEFRA's proposals. Unlike most offsetting companies we exclusively use CERs which will be compliant with the Code.
The offsetting code is currently undergoing a final round of consultation on the technical issues. As soon as it is possible to apply for accreditation, Carbon Passport will make an application.