Britain ties carbon offsets to UN standard

LONDON, Jan 18 (Reuters) Britain today launched a voluntary, UN-type standard for consumers and businesses wanting to ''offset'' their emissions of greenhouse gases, aiming to clarify a growing, unregulated market.

Corporates from media company BSkyB to the bank HSBC have jumped on carbon offsetting as a way to flag their efforts to take action on climate change.

Carbon offsetting involves paying others to cut emissions on your own behalf -- going carbon neutral means offsetting all your emissions -- and the trend has also grabbed individuals for example wanting to offset their car and plane journeys.

The new British standard would meet similar standards as an established, regulated market in carbon credits, overseen by the UN climate change secretariat for countries aiming to meet emissions targets under the Kyoto Protocol on global warming.

''People need to be sure that the way they offset is actually making a difference,'' said Environment Minister David Miliband.

''The Government's standard and code of practice, with a quality mark so people can check easily before they choose an offsetting product, will help to provide that certainty.'' Reuters SHB DS1545