DEFRA Ups Carbon Offset Standards
The UK government is to define criteria for carbon offsetting schemes to bring "greater clarity" to the industry.
Offsetting flights has become increasingly popular
Environment Secretary David Miliband said offsetting was not "the answer" to climate change, but that the voluntary standards would "raise the bar".
The standards, 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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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 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," he said.
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."
The websites of the 4 organisations named by DEFRA are:
Pure
Global Cool
Equiclimate
Sustaiable Travel International
New UK standards
Schemes must have certified credits to meet the standards
The key is less the type of scheme and more how projects are assessed to meet international standards
The Kyoto protocol's CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) produces such credits
CDM schemes - such as methane capture or windfarms - only take place in the developing world
Many small schemes - like installing more efficient cookers in developing nations - are not certified under Kyoto
Credits under the EU's carbon allowances system also qualify
Source: BBC