There’s a lot of talk about carbon offsetting, but it can be hard to know which of these projects really make a difference. To give people confidence when offsetting, whether personally or for business, The Quality Assurance Scheme for Carbon Offsetting has been set up, allowing consumers to identify good quality offsets.
Consumer benefits
The Quality Assurance Scheme is intended to help consumers understand offsetting and how it can contribute to tackling climate change. Consumers are encouraged to first measure, then avoid or reduce emissions, before offsetting unavoidable emissions.
Offsets approved under the scheme are labelled with the Quality Mark above, so consumers can easily identify them. Consumers will be able to offset with the knowledge that they are buying offsets based on accurate emission calculations and internationally-approved emissions reductions credits - the same kind used by the Government’s Carbon Offsetting Facility (GCOF).
What the voluntary quality assurance scheme does
The Scheme sets standards for:
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reliable and verifiable emission reduction credits
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accurate calculation of emissions to be offset, using statistics and factors published for this purpose
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clear information for consumers about climate change, how to reduce emissions and the role of offsetting
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transparent pricing
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timescales for cancelling credits
Only offsetting products using compliance credits from the regulated market such as the Clean Development Mechanism can be accredited, because these are based on the strictest checks for verifying genuine emissions reductions. Considering the case for expanding the scheme to include a wider range of credits from the voluntary market at a later date will be a matter for the incoming Government.
In the meantime, customers can choose to buy offsets carrying an assurance of quality, or take the time to determine for themselves whether other options offer them a satisfactory level of assurance.
If you are an offset provider seeking to have offsets approved under the scheme, or for further detailed information about how the scheme operates, visit the scheme website.
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