A news article caught the team’s eyes this week around a new climate contribution model of working.

Instead of making claims that a company is “carbon neutral” or purchased offset credits to cancel emissions it should, instead, buy high-quality credits from an independent body responsible for green standards.

In its new code of practice, the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) also advocates that all companies disclose emissions annually and show that they are meeting the science-based targets of the Paris agreement. 

More is to come in the carbon credit program this summer.

“We frame the use of carbon credits our companies might make as contributions above and beyond what they should be doing to decarbonise themselves,” said Mark Kenber, executive director of the VCMI.

“[Claims of carbon neutrality using offsets] were understandably contentious. We’ve taken them off the table for now. We will reconsider them. A lot of companies would like to make them as they see it as a differentiator but it’s probably the area that causes most confusion. Of course, there are both lawsuits and emerging bits of regulation in the UK and EU. It would be foolish to pre-empt any of that,” he added.

Major companies like KitKat, Nespresso, Leon and Albert are three to move away from carbon neutrality statements and across the Atlantic, Delta Air Lines is seeing litigation over its greenwashing which are seen as “false and misleading.”

The Guardian revealed, in January 2023, that 90% of claimed rainforest offsets from Verra, a leading certifier, were generally misleading at best, which Verra disputed.

Gilles Dufrasne, a policy officer with Carbon Market Watch, said the time for carbon neutrality claims was ending.

“Companies must step up their transparency game and provide real information that consumers can understand. Beyond reducing their emissions, the richest companies have a responsibility to contribute finance to climate action, even in sectors that they are not directly impacting. If the largest and richest companies do not step up to provide the finance that we urgently need, then who will?” he said.

What are your thoughts on carbon offsets and the new carbon credits in the offshore energy industry?

How our expert team can help you.

HSEQ-360 Ltd utilise a team with wide ranging skills, competencies and experiences; including chartered engineers, chartered health and safety and chartered quality professionals. HSEQ-360 can certainly review your company’s operations and management systems and implement sustainability strategies which are reasonable and practicable for your business.

We operate a management system which is certified to ISO9001, ISO14001 & ISO45001; and we are specialists in developing bespoke management systems for your business. We can complete an environmental impact on your behalf and can provide practical recommendations on how to proceed environmentally.

For further information, please see our website or contact a member of the team on info@hseq-360.co.uk