June 25, 2008 - The Carbon Trust - the British government-backed organization that brought carbon labels to the Tesco supermarket chain - has launched a certification scheme to help companies prove they are making real progress in carbon management.

To qualify for the new Carbon Trust Standard, companies must demonstrate that they are actively reducing their carbon footprint. Unlike other green-certification programs, the scheme requires that organizations take concrete measures to reduce their greenhouse emissions, instead of simply purchasing carbon credits to offset them.

"Our research shows that not only do consumers currently mistrust business's climate change claims, but that business thinks existing carbon award schemes are confusing and lack credibility," says Carbon Trust CEO Tom Delay. "What business and consumers both share is a desire for one, credible way to prove an organization has not only measured, but actually reduced their carbon emissions year-on-year without the use of offsetting."

A handful of U.K. companies have achieved the new standard so far. For more information, and to apply for certification, click here.