NEWS
HOW TO OFFSET CARBON
EMISSIONS CREDIBLY
Environmental publisher ENDS (Environmental Within its top 30, the guide identifies the
Data Services) have announced publication of The global top three providers with the highest
ENDS Guide to Carbon Offsets. commitment to offset carbon quality: MyClimate
This one-of-a-kind guide provides much- based in Switzerland, Atmosfair in Germany and
needed help for confused offset purchasers by Offset the Rest in New Zealand.
establishing a clear threshold for acceptable Europe emerges as the global centre of
carbon offset quality and advising purchasers to quality carbon offset providers, with 25 of the top
steer clear of offsets that fall below it. 30 based or active there. Within this, the UK, and
It points buyers towards 30 named offset specifically London, is the epicentre, with nine of
providers world-wide that show strong the top 30 based there.
commitment to delivering quality carbon offsets. It The global top 30 are drawn from the most
recommends buyers avoid: comprehensive global listing of offset providers
Offsets from tree-planting (forestry) ever published. The ENDS Guide to Carbon
T
’S NEW?
schemes – Although future schemes to Offsets is the largest listing of its kind, naming
avoid deforestation could become over 170 providers, three times more than any
acceptable, about half of all retail offset previous estimate of the carbon offset provision
providers operating currently sell only or market.
mainly credits from tree-planting. The guide presents a unique DIY system for
Renewable energy credits (RECs) and scoring carbon offsets according to their carbon
Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) credits and broader sustainability quality. The scoring
– The major type of offset credit system can also be used to rate the quality of offset
produced and sold in North America. providers’ portfolios and so compare providers.
New South Wales Greenhouse Gas The guide also explains the basics of carbon
Abatement Scheme credits (NGACs) – offsetting, including how to integrate offsetting
WHA
Most Australian offset providers sell into a broader climate change strategy focused
NGACs or credits from tree-planting. on own-emission cuts.
Project-based voluntary emission credits For copies of the guide contact: Guide
(VERs) without 3rd party verification. Author Tejas Ewing – tejasewing@yahoo.ca
news news news news news news news
CIBSE ENERGY Bank of the Thames. Armstrong said: “EPCs will CIBSE Certification Ltd was
ASSESSOR PRESENTS The EPC helps to make St make great energy efficient one of the first organisations to
ONE OF THE FIRST Martins one of the best building design visible, and be given the go ahead by the
COMMERCIAL EPCS prepared commercial Display Energy Certificates Department for Communities
landlords in the country. They (DECs) will do the same for and Local Government to
CIBSE Low Carbon Energy are ready for new legislation energy efficient building accredit Energy Assessors and
Assessor, John Field, of Power which requires owners of operation. They will highlight is committed to accrediting
Efficiency Ltd, has presented commercial buildings to make the importance of the job sufficient Low Carbon Energy
one of the first commercial an energy assessment being done by low carbon Assessors to provide excellent
Energy Performance available to prospective specialists in reducing carbon advice and real help for
Certificates (EPCs) produced by purchasers or tenants. From emissions from buildings. clients.
an accredited CIBSE Low 6th April buildings over CIBSE’s Low Carbon Energy There are 850 people
Carbon Energy Assessor. The 10,000m
2
require certificates, Assessors can go further than already on the CIBSE Low
certificate was presented to with smaller buildings needing simply providing a building Carbon Consultants register
(l-r) Richard
Ratcliffe of St Richard Ratcliffe of St Martins them later this year. It is energy certificate, they can and the majority of them are
Martins Property
Property, the property estimated that 100,000 EPCs help commercial landlords expecting to top-up to become
receives the
EPC from development and investment will be needed in the first year. and building occupiers to do Energy Assessors. There are
Low Carbon
Energy Assessor
company that owns the “We are delighted to receive more than just count carbon, currently 17 people fully
John Field
Cottons Centre on the South one of the first EPCs from they can help control it. qualified, 65 more just
CIBSE. St Martins is committed “By highlighting the undergoing final checks and a
to sustainable development contribution these experts can further 199 who have
and achieving a ‘C’ grade for make, the arrival of EPCs completed their CIBSE training.
the Cottons Centre, a building presents an ideal opportunity CIBSE aims to have all of those
more than 20 years old, to demonstrate to the next fully accredited by July 1st.
reflects the work we have generation that becoming a For further information
undertaken to enhance the low carbon designer or energy please visit
Centre,” said Richard Ratcliffe. manager are highly worthwhile www.cibsecertification.com
CIBSE President John professions.”
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SUSTAINABLE FM | APRIL 2008
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