BSI has published a standard specification that allows companies and organisations to ensure their carbon neutrality claims are correct. PAS 2060 has been developed in co-operation with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and household names including Marks & Spencer, Eurostar and the Cooperative.
BSI says that PAS 2060 will help to restore consumers’ confidence in the credibility of carbon neutrality claims and encourages action on climate change.
This new standard is designed to help organisations reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, meet their environmental and sustainability objectives, allow customers to know that carbon neutrality statements are true and reliable, allow organisations to use the same criteria as competitors and to improve their energy performance, so reducing energy bills.
PAS 2060 gives guidance on how to quantify, reduce and offset GHG emissions from a specific subject including activities, products, services, buildings, projects and major developments, towns and cities, and events.
At the launch of the PAS 2060 project, Rowland Hill, Sustainability Manager at Marks & Spencer, said: "Marks & Spencer has a commitment to making its store, office and warehouse operations carbon neutral by 2012 as part of our ‘Plan A eco-plan’. We have found the term 'carbon neutral' highly effective in communicating and engaging our customers, employees and suppliers.
"To date, we have been working to develop robust measurements and to achieve the necessary improvements in efficiency expected by our stakeholders. We welcome PAS 2060 as a robust and transparent means of demonstrating carbon neutrality."
