CICS: Make Sure Mandatory Carbon Reporting Leads to Growth not Greenwash

July 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Business leaders are being warned about the consequences of inaccurate carbon emissions data when new rules come into force.

Draft Mandatory Carbon Reporting (MCR) (http://www.cicsglobal.com/eu/verification/mandatory-carbon-reporting/) legislation was laid before Parliament on June 12. It is likely to be approved by Parliament over the next few weeks and it will be applied from October this year.

Under the new regulations, most companies listed on the London Stock Exchange will be forced to analyse and publish their carbon emissions.

International sustainability, verification (http://www.cicsglobal.com/eu/verification/) and certification (http://www.cicsglobal.com/eu/certification/) specialist CICS (http://www.cicsglobal.com/) (Complete Integrated Certification Services) is urging the firms affected – and those likely to be affected if the scheme is expanded – to make sure data is accurate.

Shaun Bainbridge, director at Staffordshire-based CICS, said: “If companies publish emissions information that is later shown to be wrong, they leave themselves open to accusations of ‘greenwash.’ That would damage brand values and investor confidence. Having data verified by a third party removes that risk.

“Some leaders see the new rules as more red tape, but many directors will use them as a springboard for growth.”

Mr Bainbridge said that examining emissions credibly delivers advantages that go beyond environmental box-ticking.

He said: “Reducing emissions almost always means reducing energy bills, which protects margins in the face of rising fuel costs.

"In addition, when companies pay more than just lip service to cutting greenhouse gases they often come up with much more cost-effective ways of doing things – whether that's finding ways of making things lighter, using different materials or improving production processes.  

“Having the results independently verified makes sure decisions are taken on the back of sound information, and it gives investors and consumers confidence.”

Following approval, MCR will come into effect for listed companies with years ending on or after October 1 this year. The data will have to be backdated to January 1 this year.

With headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent, CICS has offices throughout the UK and it also has bases in the U.S. CICS works with many FTSE 1000 companies.

http://www.cicsglobal.com/

About Ceram and CICS

CICS (Complete Integrated Certification Services Ltd) provides sustainability assurance, management systems certification and training, and product certification. Services include third party independent assurance of carbon/water footprints, sustainability/corporate responsibility/environmental reports, and verification under the Emissions Trading Scheme, North American Climate Registry, WRI/WBCSD GHG protocol, Carbon Disclosure Project, PAS 2050 and GRI (Global reporting Initiative).

CICS also provides ISO Certification services, including management system certification to ISO 9000, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 50001 and Product Certification.

All services are accredited to internationally recognised standards and guidelines and based upon a policy of providing a unique combination of: industry sector knowledge, specialist auditors, service orientation, cost effectiveness and global reach.

Experts from CICS are happy to comment on relevant issues including assurance and sustainability.