Defra ups carbon offset standards

The UK government is to define criteria for carbon offsetting schemes to bring "greater clarity" to the industry. Environment Secretary David Miliband said offsetting was not "the answer" to climate change, but that the standards would "raise the bar". The standards will be based on schemes using certified credits, including those under the Kyoto protocol. Mr Miliband said the new criteria would help consumers pick offsetting projects that entail "genuine" emission cuts. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will name five providers that already meet the criteria, including Pure, Global Cool, Equiclimate and Carbon Offsets. Full story can be found here: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6273061.stm