Code Of Best Practice Carbon Offsetting UK

Hello There My Friends,

Some more info for you from Defra:

Establishing a voluntary Code of Best Practice for the provision of carbon offsetting to UK customers

Dear Consultee,

Consultation on establishing a Code of Best Practice for carbon offsetting

1.I am writing to invite views on establishing a Code of Best Practice for Carbon Offsetting. In facing the challenge of climate change Government is keen to give consumers the information and tools they need to make decisions, relevant to their lifestyles, on how they can help tackle this issue. The first step is to avoid and reduce emissions and then consider offsetting. For consumers to be able to do this Government believes it would be helpful to establish a Code of Best Practice with a logo for accredited offset products so that consumers can offset with confidence.

The Code contains the following elements:

• Robust and verifiable emission reduction credits from the compliance market, ie CERs, EUAs and ERUs;
• Accurate calculation of emissions to be offset, using the Government’s carbon metric;
• Clear information for consumers regarding the mechanism and/or projects supported;
• Transparent pricing;
• Timescales for cancelling credits, and
• Where offered by a company with other goods and services those companies will offer a ‘compulsory choice’ for the consumer to offset.

We hope to have a stakeholder workshop to discuss our proposals early next year. If you would be interested in attending please email the address below.

2. The document may be found on Defra’s website: www.defra.gsi.gov.uk

3. We welcome your views and comments on the proposals.

Responses

4. Please send responses to either: Kate Smith (CEHM), Public Engagement Branch, Zone 3/H18 Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE (020 7082 8877)

Or e-mail: offsetting.code@defra.gsi.gov.uk

5. Responses should be received by 13 April 2007.

6. In line with Defra´s policy of openness, at the end of the consultation period copies of the responses we receive will be made publicly available through the Defra Information Resource Centre, Lower Ground Floor, Ergon House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR. The information they contain will also be published in a summary of responses.

7. If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated confidentially. Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in e-mail responses will not be treated as such a request. You should also be aware that there may be circumstances in which Defra will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations.

8. The library will supply copies of consultation responses to personal callers or in response to telephone or e-mail requests (tel: 020 7238 6575, email: defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk). Wherever possible, personal callers should give the library at least 24 hour notice of their requirements. An administrative charge will be made to cover photocopying and postage costs.

9. If you have any comments or complaints about the consultation process, as opposed to the content in the consultation paper, please address them to Marjorie Addo Defra Consultation Co-ordinator, Area 7B Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR, or email consultation.coordinator@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

10. Thank you for your help in this matter. If you have any queries please contact us as above.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Smith
Climate and Energy: Households and Markets Division

Do send your input even if you aren't on the Consultee list - its about the ability to encourage everyone to have their say and put forward views to help make ROCs sustainable and generate sufficient interest and for them to have a true "currency" value asap.

Make Good Choices People.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel