BSI seal of approval for greenhouse gas emissions

PRESS RELEASE

September 4, 2002

Kirklees Metropolitan Council in Yorkshire UK is in line to get approximately £52,000 from the UK government following a verification opinion of its greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the council's activities, from building services to highways and transport, have been verified by BSI, the global leader in standards, quality assurance and management system registration.

These emissions take the form of energy consumption only - no chemicals are released into the atmosphere - and BSI experts have confirmed that the council's baseline emissions for the year ended March 31 2001 are the equivalent of 8,622 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2).

As a result of achieving this favourable target, the government will make the incentive payment to the council over the next five years, subject to annual checks by BSI.

Based in Huddersfield, Kirklees Metropolitan Council controls services covering broad issues like environmental, economic, community and cultural development. The Council also provides services covering building, estates, property, office accommodation, catering, caretaking and cleaning. Local highways and transport services are also part of its remit.

Nick Moy, managing director of BSI Management Systems, said: "Congratulations to Kirklees Metropolitan Council for achieving this important verification. We are seeing an increasing number of organisations which want to communicate with their customers, shareholders and employees on progress in minimising emission levels. This is because greenhouse gas issues are rising up the environmental policy agenda and gaining attention in corporate boardrooms."

On receiving the verification certificate, Bill Edrich, energy and water conservation co-ordinator for Kirklees Metropolitan Council said: "This BSI verification is an important step forward. We have a range of environmental initiatives which will benefit all citizens and businesses of Kirklees. These include our aim to reduce our CO2 emissions 30% by 2005 from a 1990 baseline - in our own buildings and across the district. We also aim to have 10% of our energy requirements supplied by renewables by 2010, and to reduce water consumption to equal or less than national benchmarks."

Earlier this year BSI conducted a survey which shows that firms are seeking clarity about how to demonstrate reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases.

The firms polled by BSI - in industries like manufacturing, chemicals, mining, construction, water and power supply - say they need more guidance on these issues. Although some companies are already attributing financial value to carbon and managing it as they would any other asset, many others are finding these new carbon markets complex and challenging.
The BSI research shows that there is still considerable confusion amongst potential buyers of a verification service as to how that service should be delivered, who should deliver it and how it should be reported. To meet this need, BSI is staging a range of training courses this year and a seminar in spring 2003 to improve understanding. If you would like to attend, please call BSI Business Solutions on +44 (0)20 8996 7055.

CONTACT BSI PRESS OFFICE:
Wilma Tulloch on +44 (0)20 8996 6330 OR
Marc Edney on +44 (0)20 8996 6330

Wilma Tulloch on +44 (0)20 8996 6330