International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance

The International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA) is an industry trade group for providers of voluntary carbon offsets. It was established in 2008, and aims to promote industry self-regulation based on its ICROA Code of Best Practices. Members produce an annual report demonstrating compliance with the ICROA Code.[1][2][3][4]

The International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA)
Formation2008
PurposeIndustry trade group
Membership
Worldwide
Websitehttp://www.icroa.org/

History

ICROA was launched by eight carbon offset providers on June 9, 2008.[5] Along with the initial eight, ICROA has been open to new members which meet its membership criteria,[6][7] and this was reflected in their early announcement that they intended to increase fourfold over the following twelve months.[8] Nevertheless, the co-chairman of the organization, Jonathan Shopley, stated in 2008 that most offset providers would not be qualified to join.[9]

With ICROA headquartered in the United Kingdom, the eight founding members consisted of five British firms (Carbon Clear, The Carbon Neutral Company, ClimateCare, CO2balance and Targetneutral), two from the United States (Native Energy and TerraPass), and one from Australia (Climate Friendly).[1] Current membership is eleven companies worldwide.[10]

Criticism

In February 2009, ICROA criticised the UK Government quality assurance scheme for carbon offsets as it did not include voluntary emissions cuts (VERS). In a statement a spokesman said, "Unfortunately, it still fails to recognise VERs and we feel very strongly there's no reason for this."[11] In turn ICROA was criticised by Dr Bruce Elliott, managing director of carbon offset company Clear which had achieved accreditation under the government scheme.[12] Elliot stated that, "The trade body which represents offset organisations who sell VERs, ICROA, have unsurprisingly been vociferous in their criticism of the scheme. Many of its members have substantial investments in VER projects which now face an uncertain future without the government’s backing. This financial conflict of interest is readily apparent in their persistent public criticism of a scheme which matches or sets higher standards than its own code of conduct for the majority of criteria."[13]

See also

References
  1. Murphy, Mathew (9 June 2008). "New international standards organisation hopes for plenty of carbon copies" (fee required). The Age. The Age Company. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  2. Young, Tom (24 August 2009). "Offsetters predict end to the downturn as customers return". BusinessGreen. Incisive Media. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  3. "Voluntary offset providers form global alliance". Carbon Finance. Fulton Publishing. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  4. Finighan, Adrian (12 July 2008). "Is Carbon Offsetting Legitimate, Worth the Money; Traveling with a Conscience; Taking Measures to Combat Climate Change; How We can make a Difference on the Road". Business Traveller. CNN.com. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  5. Murray, James (June 9, 2008). "New global offset trade group aims to clean up market". BusinessGreen. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
  6. "Climate Neutral Group and First Climate Join Leading Alliance of Carbon Reduction and Offset Providers (press release)" (PDF). International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance. September 3, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 7, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
  7. Programme and Policy Framework 2009 (PDF). International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance. 2009. p. 6.
  8. Murray, James (July 28, 2008). "Offset group aiming to quadruple in size". BusinessGreen. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
  9. Taylor, Ian (August 13, 2008). "Carbon-offset provider association faces criticism". Travel Weekly. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
  10. "ICROA Members". ICROA. Archived from the original on 2009-02-24. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  11. "Carbon offset providers to reject government code" (fee required). ENDS Report. Haymarket Publishing Services. 24 February 2009. p. 12. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  12. "The UK Government's Quality Assurance Scheme for Carbon Offsetting". Department of Energy and Climate Change. Archived from the original on 2009-09-21. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  13. Elliott, Bruce (5 February 2009). "Carbon offsets now approved by the UK Government". The Clear Blog. Clear. Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
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