New Carbon Standard Brings Integrity and Transparency to Carbon Offsets

The Climate Group, the International Emissions Trading Association and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development launched a new global carbon offset standard at the London Stock Exchange to increase participation and confidence in the global voluntary carbon market. The Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) provides a quality assurance check for voluntary offset projects. The existence of an international standard should lead to more investment into credible offset projects and emissions reductions, according to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. "The Voluntary Carbon Standard means business and consumer buyers can now trust the offsets they buy," said Mark Kenber, policy director of The Climate Group and co-chair of the VCS Steering Committee.