The Environment Agency has approved the Kitemark 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 measureable 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.
This new Kitemark scheme has been developed to offer organisations a way to verify and certify their reduction in carbon emissions resulting from energy use.
The Energy Reduction Verification Kitemark scheme is based on the implementation of an energy management system using BS EN 16001 and will independently verify the management and measurement of the system as well as calculate the reductions in carbon emissions resulting from energy use. A company achieving a reduction of at least 2.5% per annum calculated from three years worth of data will be awarded the prestigious Kitemark.
Key features and benefits of the scheme:
- The ERV Kitemark scheme focuses on CO² emissions. This means you can start with the basics and then expand to cover other greenhouse gases when you are ready.
- The verification by BSI is independent of consultancy, giving integrity and credibility to the process.
- Organisations achieving certification to this Kitemark scheme will be able to use the BSI Kitemark logo, which has Superbrand status.
- Whilst the Kitemark certificate is valid for 2 years, organisations can choose to have their reductions verified more frequently to provide more up to date measurement and assurance of progress.
- The ERV Kitemark scheme is based on some of the existing management practices as defined in BS EN 16001. So for those organisations that have not yet implemented an energy management or environmental management system, the ERV Kitemark scheme will give a good basis from which to progress.
Need to comply with the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme?
For those organisations that are required to participate in the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC), the Energy Reduction Verification Kitemark scheme has been developed and approved as an equivalent scheme to the Carbon Trust Standard - thus giving organisations an alternative route to gaining points through the Early Action Metric and improving their position on the CRC League Table.
"BSI research tells us that the interest in energy management is primarily driven by potential cost savings and a desire to protect the global climate. BS EN 16001 is a key for any organisation wishing to achieve these aims and now it can be used as a framework for the development of accredited verification schemes which may be used as an Early Action Metric by those included in the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. BSI will soon offer its own Kitemark scheme for those covered by the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme which should help position them advantageously in the subsequent league tables.”
Howard Kerr, Chief Executive of BSI
Source : British Standards Institute
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