Carbon offsetting - a force for good or corporate catharsis?

By Lachlan Fulton  

Carbon offsetting remains a slightly contentious subject, so when a company voluntarily chooses to purchase carbon credits to compensate for its emissions it is not uncommon that this is met with a level of scepticism… But why is this?

Well, in 2008 an unregulated market and a growing demand for voluntary carbon credits resulted in an explosion of companies offering solutions through a variety of projects ranging from tree planting to hydroelectric power. The projects differed drastically in terms of quality and price (per tonne of carbon) and led to a series of questions about the credibility of the credits, which couldn’t always be answered.

High carbon emitting companies marketing themselves as carbon neutral added to the growing zeitgeist that ‘carbon offsetting provides a practical way for companies to continue with business as usual and appear green’.

When Rider Levett Bucknall recently decided to offset the GHG emissions generated from its domestic air travel, the aforementioned meant this decision wasn’t taken lightly.

To avoid the issues which have led to trouble in the past, the credits purchased were covered by one of the market flexibility mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol (Certified Emission Reductions) as this guarantees that they meet the ‘Good Quality’ criteria established by Defra.

This ensures that the issue of additionally (i.e. if national carbon legislation dictates that the project would have occurred regardless of credit suppliers intervention, the project is not considered additional), and the worry of permanence (e.g. forestry projects are at risk of disease or fire) are avoided.

Rider Levett Bucknall chose to purchase ‘Good Quality’ credits through The Converging World for the quality of the credits, and the difference they make to the lives of Indian community groups through education, health and energy projects.

(Image provided by The Converging World)

Find out more about the Good Quality criteria.

Have you heard about Ska?

By Simon Chesworth
 
The variety of environmental assessment methods available within the construction industry can be confusing.  If you are a landlord, tenant, designer, contractor or FM provider the new RICS Ska assessment system may be just what you are looking for.
 
Ska Rating is a new system which only assesses the elements that are being changed or replaced for refurbishment and fit out projects. 

It was developed by RICS to help landlords and tenants assess commercial fit-out projects against a set of sustainability focused criteria.

It involves measuring a number of impacts including; energy and CO₂ emissions, waste, water, materials, pollution, wellbeing and transport.

The benefits of more sustainable fit-outs include improved staff welfare and working conditions and enhanced corporate sustainability, alongside significant cash savings; Ska is considered cheaper than other energy assessments. The assessment is a three stage process; Design / Planning, Delivery / Construction and Post-Occupancy Assessment.  Projects can achieve a Gold, Silver or Bronze certificate. 

Rider Levett Bucknall offer quality assured assessments and issue certificates from RICS accredited Ska Assessors. For more information click here.