Last Updated: Sep 3

Category: General News

Businesses that make a major effort to reduce their environmental impact are set to be acknowledged under a new award scheme. The Carbon Trust has introduced a new “Carbon Trust Standard” certificate to inspire companies and public sector organisations to tackle climate change and make genuine reductions to their carbon footprint.

To qualify for the standard, businesses will have to measure, manage, and reduce their carbon emissions. Initially businesses will need to measure the electricity and fuel used onsite, and the fuel used in their vehicles. Then businesses will need to show good carbon management performance, such as investment in new equipment, maintenance programmes and staff training. Finally, businesses will need to show emissions reduction over the last year – either on a total emissions basis, or on a relative basis (e.g. emissions/£m turnover).

It is hoped the new scheme will show customers which organisations have real green credentials. As Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust, explained: “What business and consumers both share is a desire for one credible way to prove that an organisation has not only measured, but actually reduced their carbon emissions year-on-year without using off-setting. Achieving the standard will enable organisations to take advantage of the bottom line benefits that come from reducing carbon emissions.”

For further information, please visit www.carbontruststandard.com