To minimise the effects of climate change, countries need to significantly reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and their total greenhouse gas emissions. A large portion of which comes from commercial and industrial activities, therefore businesses must bear the responsibility for minimising emissions and overall environmental protection.
To show their commitment to protecting the environment, companies often claim to be carbon neutral, or that their emissions do not contribute to a net increase in global emission levels. PAS 2060 is an internationally recognised standard designed to verify the accuracy of these claims and help companies achieve true carbon neutrality through earnest means.
Developed by the British Standards Institution and implemented in 2010, PAS 2060 presents four key stages to carbon neutrality — measurement, reduction, offsetting and documentation. At the end of the process, businesses can pursue verification with an independent third party like Atlas Certification. Although the standard does allow companies to purchase carbon credits as part of the process, it’s important to note that offsets must meet certain criteria, and companies cannot receive PAS 2060 verification using offsetting alone.
PAS 2060 verification
PAS 2060 verification is voluntary. However, there are still many reasons to implement the standard beyond environmental responsibility.
Verification by an independent third party gives your organization more credibility, helping you build public trust and ensuring you get proper credit for the carbon-reduction policies you implement. It can also help you use resources more efficiently and reduce energy spending for greater profit margins.
Benefits of implementing PAS 2060
Implementing PAS 2060 offers several advantages for organisations committed to carbon neutrality and sustainability, such as:
- Cost efficiency: carbon data analysis helps operate more efficiently therefore decrease costs.
- Competitive edge: position your organisation ahead by aligning with future carbon regulations.
- Compliance: meet regulatory and supply chain requirements with strong carbon reporting and reduction strategies.
- Credibility: enhance reputation with third-party verification to internationally recognised standards, showcasing genuine sustainability commitment.
- Stakeholder engagement: improve relations by demonstrating transparent and credible efforts towards carbon neutrality.
Implementing PAS 2060 not only ensures compliance and credibility but also fosters a culture of sustainability that resonates positively with stakeholders and the wider community.
Verification process
It is at this stage that the Implementation Guide breaks down into a step-by-step process. Steps 1 to 4 form a comprehensive process overview and offer an overview of clauses 4 to 11.
Step 1 begins with measuring your carbon footprint, ensuring thorough justification and compliance with the PAS 2060 standard.
Step 2 focuses on reducing emissions through clear goals and a Carbon Footprint Management Plan (clauses 7-8).
Step 3 involves offsetting residual emissions using verified carbon offset credits, as outlined in clause 9.
Step 4 centres around documentation and verification preparation, requiring the creation of a Qualifying Explanatory Statement (QES) to declare commitment or achievement of carbon neutrality (clause 10).
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Click here to apply and begin the PAS 2060 journey with Atlas Certification.
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