The process begun by the Climate Change Act which requires all organisations to report their emissions by 2012 has reached its next stage. DEFRA has issued its consultation paper on draft guidance on how organisations should report their greenhouse gas emissions. DEFRA would like to see the guidance notes become the preferred methodology to measure greenhouse gases in the UK. The Government sees the guidance notes as a set of standards similar to standards for financial reporting.
The draft guidance note sets out what should and shouldn't be included in any measurement of grenhouse gases and the preferred way of calculating emissions. At present the guidance has included as mandatory all emissions from industrial processes, combustion of materials, owned transport and purchased power. Greenhouse gases from outsourced assets, non-owned transport use, waste disposal and sold goods and services it recommends should be included as best practice but this is not obligatory. DEFRA has consulted with industry groups. DEFRA has atempted to calculate theost of implementing the reporting standrad as part of the guidance. The consultation period ends on 7th August 2009 and the final guidance note will be published on 1st October 2009.
For the full draft guidance note go to http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/greenhouse-gas/draft-guidance.pdf
The Government has conceded that the implementation of the guidance will increase business costs but believes that the cost will be far outweighed by the cost of doing nothing.
