BTCO goes carbon neutral

In response to increasing global concern about the impact of climate change and in support of the UK government’s commitment to tackle its carbon emissions, the BTCO started the two-stage carbon neutral process from mid-Aug 2010 with aims to continuously reduce its carbon emission in Taiwan.

In the first stage, with support from the Foundation of Taiwan Industry Service and from British Standard Institution (BSI) in Taiwan, the BTCO office undertook a systematic greenhouse gas (GHG) emission audit, to establish a baseline GHG emission inventory for 2009. The BTCO received a certification of ISO14064-1:2006  (verifying that this inventory was correct) on 30 September 2010.

In the second stage, the BTCO offset its 2009 GHG emissions, and is officially registered under the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). To gain the certification, the BTCO had to produce a carbon neutrality report following the BSI guidance, including making a firm commitment to reducing its emissions in future years. BSI Taiwan then conducted an on-site validation, including interviewing senior managers and staff.

On 3 Nov 2010, BSI’s Asia Pacific Managing Director Mark Basham awarded PAS 2060 carbon neutral certification to the BTCO's Director David Campbell at the ‘What Next? International Practical Experience of Carbon Management Seminar’, co-organised by the BTCO and Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs.

David Campbell, Director of the BTCO, said:

“The UK and Taiwan are working together closely on combating climate change.

Because of the UK’s ambitious and legally-binding carbon reduction targets, the UK is emerging as an international hub for low carbon expertise and innovation, helping global businesses to shift to a low carbon future.

Taiwan’s highly educated workforce and strengths in high-tech development make it well placed to take advantage of the global shift to a low-carbon economy. I am very pleased that UK companies and institutions are able to support Taiwan in these efforts.

The UK government is taking a lead by cutting its own emissions. This certification is a sign of our commitment to this and will be a baseline for further work, including through the global 10:10 programme – we are already on the way to cutting our emissions by 10% in 2010. All the BTCO staff have made personal efforts to make sure that we can achieve this and I thank them for their enthusiasm.”

The PAS 2060 certification commits the organisation to reducing its carbon emissions in future years. The BTCO has signed up to the international 10:10 campaign, and has been working to reduce emissions in 2010. During the verification, BSI confirmed that the BTCO was well on track to meet this target.

The BTCO will continue to work towards cutting its carbon emissions and will share its carbon neutral experience with local audiences to demonstrate what can be done. Carbon Neutrality of the Taipei office of British Trade and Cultural Office will be targeted by The British Trade and Cultural Office, Taipei (BTCO, Taipei) in accordance with PAS 2060 at December 31st, 2010 for the period commencing January 1st, 2010, British Standards Institution, certified.”  This is the first Carbon Neutral Declaration of Commitment announced by BTCO Taipei Office.

The BTCO has recuded Green House Gas (GHG) by 21% in 2010 compared with the 2009 figure, and has successfully achieved carbon neutrality under the PAS 2060 international standard, certified by British Standards Institution (BSI). See our 2010 carbon neutral report (new window, PDF, 2MB)

For more information, please read our press release about BTCO goes carbon neutral. If you are interested in learning from our carbon netural experience via email: info.taipei@fco.gov.uk