Government to define 'carbon neutral'

The department of energy and climate change (DECC) announced a consultation into the phrase, stating that as the term was in such common use, clarification was key to boosting consumer and business confidence.

Minister Joan Ruddock said that the consultation was essential to ensure that the term was “not used carelessly”.

DECC has proposed that the term will mean that “through a transparent process of measuring emissions, reducing emissions and offsetting any unavoidable emissions, the net calculated carbon emissions equal zero.”

The government has announced new initiative, the Carbon Offsetting Quality Assurance Scheme, which it claims will help consumers easily identify carbon offsetting projects that offer carbon savings.

Companies offsetting their carbon emissions will be able to register with the scheme and apply for its quality mark after proving their projects are compliant with Kyoto standards and offer genuine, additional and measurable carbon savings.

For further information on the Carbon Offsetting Quality Assurance Scheme and a list of approved offsets at www.direct.gov.uk/actonco2

For find information on how to apply for the quality mark at www.defra.gov.uk/offsetting

The consultation into the definition of carbon neutral will run until 21 May 2009.