Quality mark will help fleets go green

Fleet operators who want to go green by offsetting their carbon emissions have been told they can rely on a new code of practice and quality mark that will ensure offset companies actually provide the services they claim to offer.

Environment secretary, Hilary Benn, has said that it is important that consumers who want to buy carbon offsets with confidence can do just that.

When a consumer buys a tonne of carbon with the government's quality mark, they'll know they're buying a full tonne of carbon, he is reported as saying.

However, environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth has urged caution arguing that the code will be of limited benefit.

The group’s spokesperson, Mary Taylor, believes the code will still allow offsets to be sold for our increasingly polluting lifestyles.

She urged companies to produce less CO2 in the first place rather than looking for ways to offset it.

However, the government has rejected claims that the offsetting project would encourage more polluting practices.

There are emissions that can't or won't be avoided, and that's where offsetting can play an important role, explained Mr Benn.

That's why the government is developing a code of practice and a quality mark for high-quality offsetting products to help businesses and individuals, he added.