BSI announce launch of Kitemark Scheme for Energy Reduction Verification
BSI has announced the launch of its new Kitemark® scheme for Energy Reduction Verification (ERV) which will independently verify and certify those organisations that achieve a reduction in carbon emissions through lower energy use. The Environment Agency has approved the scheme as one of the Early Action Metrics that contribute to the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, the UK's mandatory climate change and energy saving scheme.
The Kitemark scheme provides organisations both large and small with a measurable means of reducing energy usage; acting as an Early Action Metric that public and private sector organisations may adopt to achieve and demonstrate carbon reductions. At a time when UK Plc’s carbon footprint is coming under increasing scrutiny, the scheme also allows organisations to present clear and independent information about their energy use performance for stakeholders including investors, regulators, specifiers and consumers.
The scheme draws on the Kitemark brand - recognised and trusted by over 82% of the UK population* - and provides a simpler and more comprehensive alternative to both the Carbon Trust and CEMAR standards which do not guarantee or provide the structure around which long term reductions can be identified, managed and realised. Importantly, the Kitemark scheme for ERV is also the only Early Action Metric to be based on the implementation of an energy management system - BS EN 16001- which demands more of organisations in that continual improvement and the ongoing identification of energy reduction opportunities is required.
Unlike other schemes, the Kitemark scheme has been designed specifically with CRC requirements in mind so requires that only Greenhouse Gas emissions from energy use are taken into account; allowing organisations to focus solely on their energy emissions rather than have carbon resulting from transport and other sources complicate measurements.
Around 20,000 large and public and private sector organisations will be involved in the CRC scheme on some level; however an estimated 5,000 organisations will be required by the Government to participate. Participation requires organisations to disclose carbon emissions and purchase allowances for each tonne of CO2 they emit. A league table will rank organisations according to their emissions reductions and whether they have adopted any ‘Early Action Metrics’. However, the Kitemark scheme can also be used by organisations that, while not required to participate in the CRC, may wish to step up to Kitemark verification to validate the output and effectiveness of their energy management systems.
The Environment Agency’s CRC Project Executive Andrew Hitchings said: “We are pleased to announce Kitemark as a Carbon Trust Standard equivalent scheme under the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. Along with the Carbon Trust Standard and CEMARS, Kitemark allows organisations who are leading the way in environmental management to be rewarded for their early action."