The carbon market is relatively new and there is much debate and confusion around standards, and the integrity of claims being made by business. We took the decision early to ensure the professionalism of our carbon programmes.  And, as part of that, we manage our carbon contracts and carbon stocks according to a fully documented process known as The CarbonNeutral Protocol.

The Protocol describes the requirements for achieving the CarbonNeutral brand marks as well as the controls we use to ensure that they are properly used.  It also sets out the quality requirements for projects and schemes that produce offset credits that may be applied to brand activities or entities CarbonNeutral.  Critical tests are consistent with provisions of the CDM and other leading standards:

For an additional level of transparency, at regular intervals we invite a third party (historically, KPMG, and now PwC) into our business to review our carbon 'chain of custody': from contract with a client to contract with a partner, and everything in between.  The process is unique in the carbon world and the results are publicly reported in our Independent Assurance Report which incorporates our carbon accounts