The UK Government's Quality Assurance Scheme for Carbon Offsetting

Why approve your offset(s)?

The Scheme provides added value to an offset, because a Government guarantee of quality is likely to increase consumer confidence.

Displaying the Quality Mark means your offsets stand out from the crowd, giving you a marketing edge.

• in touch with consumers
• in tune with environmental issues

To be approved under the scheme the offset provider must:

• calculate emissions accurately
• use good quality carbon credits i.e. initially those that are Kyoto compliant
• deliver carbon credits within a year of the consumer’s offset purchase
• provide clear and transparent pricing of the offset
• inform consumers about offsetting’s role in tackling climate change and advise how to reduce their carbon footprint

Any offset provider (either a direct provider or a reseller) wishing to sell offsets that display the Quality Mark must apply to the Approval Body. For a fee, the Approval Body determines whether an offset meets the necessary criteria for approval.  If the criteria are met, the Approval Body confers the right to use the Quality Mark.

A single fee is charged each time an application for offset approval is made. An offset provider may wish to put forward one or more offsets for approval within each application.

To find out how to approve an offset click here.