Explained: The Carbon Trust Standard

In a world where brands’ records on reducing carbon emissions are coming under ever more scrutiny, the importance of independent verification in this area cannot be underestimated.

Allied to this, over the past few years there has been a significant increase in environmental regulation meaning emissions reduction is one of the top strategic issues facing organisations today.

With this in mind, the Carbon Trust set up the Carbon Trust Standard in the summer of 2008. The certification was founded to provide a clear and robust definition of good practice and for use as an independent endorsement of an organisation’s achievements in carbon reduction.

Developed in consultation with businesses and public sector organisations, the standard was informed by the Carbon Trust's previous experience of working with thousands of UK businesses on carbon management strategies.

Ronan Dunne, chief executive of O2 UK, which gained the accreditation in April 2008, describes the standard as ‘the best method of demonstrating that you are taking positive action against climate change’.
 ‘No one can claim you are creating “environmental spin” when your performance has been independently verified by the Carbon Trust,’ he argues.  Dunne says that achieving the standard has allowed O2 to ‘use our energy and carbon performance to distinguish ourselves from competitors and, we believe, to engage with our customers’.

Harry Morrison, general manager of the Carbon Trust Standard Company, says companies that introduce the standard could end up making money once the Carbon Reduction Commitment comes into force next year.

This will see around 20,000 public- and private sector take part in a mandatory trading scheme where financial incentives and penalties are awarded based on a number of criteria, one of which is achieving the standard.
But while there are clear financial incentives to achieving the standard, Morrison urges companies to consider other factors.

‘Sometimes carbon management can get stuck with the energy and facilities team and the company doesn’t see the other benefits in terms of reputation and engaging employees and customers.’
Morrison adds: ‘One of the things that organisations could do better is to think holistically about the issue.’

Applying for certification is a straightforward process. The first step is to apply for assessment against the standard, then collect the data and prepare the evidence. Once this is complete the data undergoes an assessment by an independent auditor. The cost of assessment is based on the size of the organisation and how much support a company requires with the process.

One year from its launch in August, the Carbon Trust Standard Company has certified more than 100 organisations and is well on the way to the 200 mark, as companies find it to be an increasingly effective way to meet both government and consumer demands.

For more information on the Carbon Trust Standard visit www.carbontruststandard.com