The article “Climate of change” incorrectly stated that companies achieving PAS 2050 will be ranked higher in the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) league table. In fact, it is companies which achieve the Carbon Trust Standard which will benefit from higher rankings under the proposed CRC in the introductory phase.
The Carbon Trust Standard is a carbon certification scheme that requires an organisation to measure, manage and reduce its carbon footprint and actually make real reductions year-on-year. It is the only scheme deemed robust enough to be recognised under the CRC, the UK’s mandatory carbon trading scheme which comes into force in 2010.
Participants in CRC will be ranked in a league table based on emission reduction performance, and two ‘early action’ metrics – one of which is the Carbon Trust Standard. Participants will buy carbon credits each year to cover their emissions and the revenue generated from the auctions will be redistributed amongst the organisations in the league table. Organisations which have achieved the Carbon Trust Standard will receive a higher ranking in the CRC league table, meaning a greater recycle payment at the end of each year and a direct financial benefit as a result of the Standard.
PAS 2050 was launched by BSI British Standards, the Carbon Trust and Defra in October 2008 to provide a robust, consistent standard for measuring the carbon footprint of a business’s goods and services. PAS 2050 is not linked to the Carbon Reduction Commitment but, like the Carbon Trust Standard, is a valuable tool to help businesses really understand the carbon impacts of their organisations and products and identify opportunities to cut these carbon emissions.
Businesses interested in finding out more about how they should prepare for the Carbon Reduction Commitment can call the Carbon Trust Standard helpline on 0800 019 1443 or visit www.carbontruststandard.co.uk.
Harry Morrison
General Manager
Carbon Trust Standard Company
