Quality mark for carbon offsets developed

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our or .

| Sourced From |

Carbon offset schemes can now get a quality assurance mark to reassure consumers that they are actually achieving what they claim to, according to minister for energy and climate change Joan Ruddock.

The Carbon Offsetting Quality Assurance Scheme has been developed by government to provide “clarity and confidence” for consumers.

Ms Ruddock said: “Information for consumers needs to be crystal clear and people need to have confidence that their money is put to good use. This new quality mark - developed with the industry - aims to improve transparency and give confidence to people wanting to offset their travel.”

In order to use the quality mark companies will have to register with the scheme and show that their projects are compliant with Kyoto standards and demonstrate additionality and measurable carbon savings.

So far the five companies that have had their carbon offsets approved are British Airways, Carbon Footprint Ltd, Carbon Passport, Clear and PURE the Clean Planet Trust.