ASK T H E E XPE RT to do the right thing themselves,
standard has been set, it does leave
knowledge and resources to calculate
criticism and debate. A benchmark has
believing they have the internal
spurious claims and practices open to
their emissions with the help of online
been established.
The market for these products is
Auditel worked closely with British
If the calculation method is inaccurate
part of 2021 to raise awareness of
offsets at great expense, or even too
became one of the first members
objective and leading to potential claims
programme to be able to offer support
tools and bespoke software packages. unregulated and their accuracy varies.
Standards Institute during the early
a business might buy too many carbon
the benefits of using PAS2060 and
few offsets, defeating the original
of their Associate Consultants
of greenwashing. In trying to do the
to the standard.
themselves open to a PR disaster.
PAS 2060 presents four key stages
There are also professional services
reduction, offsetting and documentation.
on sustainable business practices.
can seek verification with an
Last year the government announced
time and in the absence of any
PAS 2060 applies to organisations of
than £5M will no longer accept bids from
their own, effectively marking their own
demonstrate the carbon neutrality of
carbon reduction plan. It is rumoured
by certification bodies that this activity
identified subject, such as specific
2022 all NHS procurements will include
can again leave clients vulnerable to
projects, or events.
value weighting and from 2024 the NHS
companies that they are ‘carbon neutral’
The benefits with PAS2060 are clarity,
carbon reduction plan. As the carbon
with scepticism. Companies such
no threat to claims of greenwashing.
the Carbon Footprint of their customers,
recently been accused of un-verifiable
legislation becomes more widespread,
right thing, organisations can leave
to carbon neutrality — measurement,
organisations promoting their beliefs
At the end of the process, businesses
Many have been around for some
independent third party like BSI or NQA.
that public sector tenders worth more
recognised standards, have created
all sizes and sectors. You can use it to
companies who don’t include a credible
homework. It has been acknowledged
your entire business or to any uniquely
that this figure will reduce. From April
encourages a ‘wild west’ culture, which
activities, products, services, buildings,
a minimum 10% net zero and social
claims of greenwashing. Claims by
will require all suppliers to publish a
are not always valid and may be met
consistency and transparency, leaving
emissions of one business contribute to
as Ryanair, Quorn and Shell have all
As knowledge about carbon-related
it’s easy to see how need to fulfil these
sustainability claims.
B2C and B2B customers (not to
the supply chain.
Building on over 20 years of energy
will increasingly scrutinise ‘green’
Since 1988 the environmental movement
Auditel realised that a standard for
is not only a PR disaster waiting to
to save our planet, however until recently
needed. Following extensive research,
became a criminal offence.
market. There are many providers of
internationally recognised standard for
Ian Hopping
requirements will spread rapidly through
mention shareholders and investors)
saving and supply chain experience,
credentials. Moreover, ‘greenwashing’
has developed at pace through a passion
demonstrating Carbon Neutrality was
happen – as of September 2021 it
this passion was in a totally unregulated
we adopted BSI PAS2060, the only
carbon footprint reports (CFRs), often
carbon neutrality.
Carbon Solutions & Procurement
testimonials from satisfied customers.
PAS 2060 was developed by BSI (and
T 01825 791128
report looks much like any other and
Neutral and Forestry Commission) to
W auditel.co.uk
However, all CFRs are not created equally.
needed to meet to demonstrate carbon
There are many organisations trying
was the game changer. Now an official
with a convincing sales pitch and
To the uninitiated, one carbon footprint
other organisations such as BP Target
it is tempting just to buy the cheapest.
specify the requirements an organisation
Specialist
M 07976 244456
neutrality. It could be argued that this
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 81
