Carbon footprint scheme for businesses is launched

Businesses that make genuine reductions in their carbon emissions are to be rewarded under a new scheme launched by the Carbon Trust.

In a bid to inspire enterprises to take action on climate change, the Carbon Trust will award a new certificate to organisations that meet the standard set by the environmental body.

It is the world’s first carbon award scheme that requires a firm to measure, manage and reduce its carbon footprint and actually make real reductions year-on-year.

It is hoped the initiative will improve consumer trust by openly revealing which brands are truly taking action to curb their carbon emissions.

‘Our research shows that not only do consumers currently mistrust business' climate change claims, but that business thinks existing carbon award schemes are confusing and lack credibility,’ said Carbon Trust chief executive Tom Delay.

‘What business and consumers both share is a desire for one, credible way to prove an organisation has not only measured, but actually reduced their carbon emissions year-on-year without the use of offsetting. The Carbon Trust Standard is the only answer to this.’

Business and environmental groups have welcomed the new standard.

Neil Bentley, director of business environment at the Confederation of British Industry, described the measure as ‘an excellent way for businesses to demonstrate they are behaving responsibly.’