Sunday, June 8, 2008

New international standards organisation hopes for plenty of carbon copies

  • Mathew Murphy
  • The Age, June 9, 2008

EIGHT leading carbon reduction and offset providers are set to announce a global alliance designed to build support around standards in the voluntary carbon market and promote credible carbon management strategies. The organisations, including Sydney-based Climate Friendly, will announce in Britain today the formation of the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation that has developed a code of best practice for the industry.

Alliance co-chairman Jonathan Shopley said the code included measuring carbon impacts according to accepted international standards, producing an annual report showing compliance with the code and using credible offset projects that were real, measurable, permanent, independently verified and unique.

The alliance will use the most stringent standards for offsets available, the Gold Standard, the Voluntary Carbon Standard and Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation, instruments designed under the Kyoto Protocol.

"The carbon reduction and offset sector has developed quickly through the commitment and hard work of thousands of capable people around the world," Mr Shopley said.

"There are now clearly recognised offset standards in place and ICROA will build on this solid foundation."

The alliance will have headquarters in London with Carbon Clear, The CarbonNeutral Company, ClimateCare, co2balance and Targetneutral from Britain, Native Energy and TerraPass from the US and Australia's Climate Friendly as founding members.

http://www.climatefriendly.com

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