Legal Update
March 2023
Pete Schofield
Director & Principal Environmental Consultant

www.gepenv.co.uk

CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

Slide: 1

General Legislative Updates
March 2023
• Environmental Targets (Biodiversity) (England) Regulations SI 2023/91• Long-term biodiversity target (species extinction risk): to reduce the risk of species’ extinction by 2042, whencompared to the risk of species’ extinction in 2022.

• Long-term biodiversity target: (wildlife-rich habitat restoration or creation): in excess of 500,000 hectares of arange of wildlife-rich habitats are to be restored or created by 31 December 2042.
• 2030 species abundance target: the overall relative species abundance index in 2030, indicates that the decline in
the abundance of species has been halted.
• Long-term biodiversity target to reverse the decline of species abundance: to reverse the decline of species
abundance by 2042 and ensure species abundance is• higher than the overall relative species abundance index for 2022; and• at least 10% higher than the overall relative species abundance index forwww.gepenv.co.uk

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General Legislative Updates
March 2023
• Environmental Targets (Woodland and Trees Outside
Woodland) (England) Regulations SI 2023/90• They establish legally binding targets relating towoodland cover and trees outside woodlands, as
required under the Environment Act 2021.
• By the end of 2050 at least 16.5% of all land in
England must be covered by woodland and trees
outside woodland.

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Slide: 3

General Legislative Updates
March 2023
• Environmental Targets (Marine Protected Areas)
Regulations SI 2023/94• They establish legally binding targets in the area of
biodiversity, specifically marine protected areas, as required
under the Environment Act 2021.
• The target is that before the end of 31 December 2042:• the number of protected features which are infavorable condition within all relevant MPAs is not lessthan 70% of the total number of all protected features
within relevant MPAs; and• all other protected features within relevant MPAs are in
recovering condition.

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Slide: 4

General Legislative Updates
March 2023
• Environmental Targets (Residual Waste) (England) Regulations SI 2023/92• They establish legally binding targets in the area of resource efficiency and waste reduction,
as required under the Environment Act 2021.

• By the end of 2042, the total mass of residual waste for the calendar year 2042 must notexceed 287 kilograms per head of population in England.

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Slide: 5

General Legislative Updates
March 2023
• Environmental Targets (Water) (England)
Regulations SI 2023/93• They establish legally binding targets in the priority
area of water, as required under the Environment Act
2021, along with requirements for the measurement
and reporting of these targets.
• These targets include:• an agriculture water target (reducing nitrogen,phosphorus, sediment);• a waste water target (reducing phosphorus);• an abandoned metal mines water target(reducing metals pollution);
www.gepenv.co.uk

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Slide: 6

General Legislative Updates
March 2023
• Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) Regulations
SI 2023/96• They establish legally binding targets for air quality relating to the
reduction of levels of fine particulate matter (PM) in ambient air, as
required under the Environment Act 2021, along with requirements forthe measurement and reporting of these targets.
• Annual mean concentration target for PM2.5• By 2040, the annual mean concentration target level of particulatematter PM2.5 in ambient air must be equal to or less than 10 µg/m³(“the target level”).
• Population exposure reduction target for PM2.5• By 2040, the population exposure reduction target is at least a 35%
reduction in population exposure, to PM2.5, as compared with theaverage population exposure in the three-year period from 2016 to2018.
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Slide: 7

The Science-Based Targets
Initiative – SME Pathway
Peter Schofield
Director & Principal Environmental Consultant

www.gepenv.co.uk

CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

Slide: 8

Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) drives ambitious climate action by enabling organizations to set sciencebased emissions reduction targets.
More than 4,000 businesses and financial institutions are working with the SBTi to reduce their emissions in line withclimate science.

Science-Based Targets
Setting and accreditation

www.gepenv.co.uk

Can work together:e.g., a company with an established
SBT can use that as a starting point fornet zero
CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

SBTi Net Zero Standard

Slide: 9

What does a Science-Based Target do?
Science-based targets help companies determine how much and how
fast they need to reduce GHG emissions to align with efforts to limit
warming to 1.5°C
Near-term science-based targets are deemed the most critical targets as they are actionable and provide
accountability

The SBTi enables companies to set targets in line with the Paris Agreement, with
1.5°C representing the highest level of ambition. Currently only targets relating toemissions coming from companies’ direct operations (i.e. Scope 1 and 2 emissions)
receive a temperature classification.
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Slide: 10

What is a Science-Based Target?

Science-based targets show
organisations greenhouse gas (GHG)
emission reductions necessary to
prevent the worst effects of climatechange – i.e., pathway for net zero

Science-basedtargets
are aligned withthese scenarios

A target is considered ‘science-based’ if it is in line with the level of decarbonisation required to keep global temperature increases
below
2°C compared to pre-industrial temperatures(ParisAgreement
goals).| TRAINING
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Slide: 11

The science behind aiming for 1.5°C
Despiteunderstanding theseverity of climatechangeimpacts, current
policies
put us on track for
between 2.7 - 3.1˚C.

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Slide: 12

Implementing a SBTi Science-Based Target

SME’s are able to submit targets
through a streamlined validation
process, enabling them to bypass theinitial ‘commit’ phase.

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CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

Slide: 13

Implementing a SBTi Science-Based Target – SME’s
For the purposes of target validation by SBTi, an SME is defined as a non-subsidiary, independent company
with fewer than 500 employees.

The SBTi invites SMEs to submit targets through a streamlined target validation route
exclusive to SMEs. This route enables SMEs to bypass the initial step of committing to
set a science-based target and the regular target validation process and to
immediately set near-term science-based targets for Scope 1 & 2 emissions, and,optionally, net-zero targets, by choosing from one of several predefined target
options.
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CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

Slide: 14

Implementing a SBTi Science-Based Target – SME’s
Fill out
company
information

Selectpredefinedtarget option• Near-Term / Net-Zero• Select Base Year
• Select Target Year

CompleteemissionsprofileSubmit forvalidation

Communicate& Disclose• Base year data covering at least
95% of Scopes 1 & 2 emissions.
• Scope 3 inventory for base year
(only if setting a Net-Zero Target)

The entire process is managed through the SME Target Setting System:
http://form.jotform.co/targets/sme-target-validation.
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CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

Slide: 15

Target Selection: Near-Term v’s Net-Zero Targets
Target options for SMEs:• Near-term science-based targets are absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reduction targets that should be achieved by
2030, from a predefined base year.
• Net-zero targets* include:• Long-term science-based targets which are absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions reduction targets that shouldbe achieved by 2050, from a predefined base year.
• A commitment to neutralize any unabated emissions when the long-term science-based target is achieved.
Selected Service*SMEs must set targets aligned to a 1.5°C near-termscience-based target to be eligible to set a net-zerotarget. This means that setting a net-zero target
includes setting both near-term and long-term sciencebased targets, and the near-term target must bealigned to 1.5°C pathways.

www.gepenv.co.uk

Price

Setting new near-term targets or replacing previous
near-term targets.

$1,000 USD

Setting new net-zero targets ONLY (only companies
with previously set 1.5C near-term targets are eligible
for this option)$1,000 USD

Setting near-term targets AND net-zero targets.

$2,000 USD

CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

Slide: 16

Target Selection: Near-Term v’s Net-Zero Targets
Near-Term Targets

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Net-Zero Targets

CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

Slide: 17

Target Selection: Near-Term Requirements
Predefined target options

By setting a near-term target, your company commits to:➢

Achieve the chosen target in accordance with therules of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol within thespecified timeframe.

➢

Measure and reduce scope 3 emissions following
the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Value Chain (Scope 3)
Accounting and Reporting Standard. The SBTi does
not have a requirement for specific near-term
scope 3 targets to be set by SMEs.

➢

Publicly report its company-wide scope 1 and 2
GHG emissions inventory and progress against
published targets on an annual basis. Companies
shall follow the Greenhouse Gas Protocol
Corporate Accounting and ReportingStandard and Scope 2 Guidance.

www.gepenv.co.uk“Our company commits to reduce absolute
scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions _____% by2030 from a 20____ base year, and to measure
and reduce its scope 3 emissions.”❖ 50% from a 2018 base year
❖ 46% from a 2019 base year
❖ 42% from a 2020 base year
❖ 42% from a 2021 base year
❖ 42% from a 2022 base year

CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

Slide: 18

Target Selection: Net-Zero Requirements
By setting a net-zero target, your company commits to:➢

Achieve the near-term and long-term targets inaccordance with the rules of the Greenhouse Gas
Protocol within the specified timeframe.

➢

Achieve the near-term and long-term targets inaccordance with the SBTi's Net-Zero
Standard and Criteria, which requires companies todirectly reduce absolute emissions across scopes 1, 2
and 3 at least 90% by 2050.

➢

Publicly report its company-wide scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG
emissions inventory and progress against publishedtargets on an annual basis. Companies shall follow theGreenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting andReporting Standard, the Scope 2 Guidance and
the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Value Chain (Scope 3)
Accounting and Reporting Standard.

www.gepenv.co.uk

Predefined target options"Our company commits to reach net-zero by
2050. As part of this, it commits to reduce
absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions __% by
20__ from a 20__ base year"❖ 90-100% of emissions❖ Base Year between 2018-2021❖ Target Year of 2050 or earlier

CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

Slide: 19

SME Target Submission – How much does it cost?

Selected Service Price Setting new near-term targets or replacing
previous near-term targets$1,000 USD

Setting new net-zero targets ONLY (only companies with previously
set 1.5°C near-term targets are eligible for this option)$1,000 USD

Setting near-term targets AND net-zero targets$2,000 USD

www.gepenv.co.uk

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Slide: 20

Benefits of setting SBTs
Brand
Reputation

Investor
Confidence

Resilience
AgainstRegulation

IncreasedInnovation

Competitive
Edge

Bottom Line
Savings

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Slide: 21

SME Target Submission – Key Resources

SME Target Validation Booking System (jotform.com)

www.gepenv.co.uk

FAQs-for-SMEs.pdf (sciencebasedtargets.org)

CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

Slide: 22

Contact Us

Peter Schofield
Director & Principal Environmental Consultant
07920 194998
peters@gepenv.co.uk

www.gepenv.co.uk

CLIMATE | CARBON | SUSTAINABILITY | TRAINING

Slide: 23

Carbon Offsetting (Reduction vs Removal)
New ISO Guidance on Net ZeroJohn BuckleyManaging Director
Carbon Footprint Ltd

24 March 2023

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

What is Carbon Offsetting?
Carbon offsetting
is a way to financially support
projects that need additional
funding around the world that
reduce greenhouse gas emissions
or remove greenhouse gases(usually CO2) from the atmosphere

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

The role of Carbon Offsetting?
“We know we have a limited carbon budget. On somemeasures we only have 10 years left at current emissions
rates before we have blown through 1.5 degrees of warming
and moved to more catastrophic levels. So we need topreserve and extend that budget as much as possible. Carbon
offsets help do that.
The vast majority of offsets will flow to emerging andparticularly developing economies for reforestation, fornature-based solutions and for the development of renewable
power and other low-carbon sources, potentially on a scale of$100 billion plus a year for parts of the world that need it themost.
So it is an incredibly important market, but as with everythingwith climate we need to put it in perspective. In no way is thisa silver bullet that removes responsibility from anyone for
reducing absolute emissions. ”
UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance, Mark Carney.
United Nations
Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

2 Broad Categories of Carbon Offsetting
•
•
•
•
•

Reduction

Afforestation / Reforestation
Direct Air Carbon Capture
BiocharEnhanced Weathering
Etc.

Removal• Renewable Energy• Energy Efficiency• Reducing Deforestation

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Current costs and availability
Decreasing availability

Carbon Reduction

Carbon Removal

Increasing Price per tonne CO2
Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

The Oxford Principles
for Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting (Sept 2020)“An immediate transition to 100% carbon removals is not necessary, nor is it currently
feasible, but organisations must commit to gradually increase the percentage of carbon
removal offsets they procure with a view to exclusively sourcing carbon removals by midcentury [i.e. 2050].”
1. Cut emissions, use high quality offsets, and regularly revise offsetting
strategy as best practice evolves
2. Shift to carbon removal offsetting
3. Shift to long-lived storage
4. Support the development of net zero aligned offsetting
Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) – Net Zero

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Net Zero vs Carbon Neutral
Net Zeronet zero GHG condition in whichhuman-caused residual GHG
emissions are balanced by humanled removals over a specified
period and within specified
boundaries
Definition from IWA 41-2022
Carbon Footprint Ltd

Carbon Neutral
condition in which during a
specified period there has
been no net increase in the
global emission of greenhousegases to the atmosphere as aresult of the greenhouse gas
emissions associated with thesubject during the same period
Definition from BSI PAS 2060
www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

BSI’s PAS 2060:2014
Specification for the demonstration of carbon neutrality
•
•
•
•
•
•

Quantify emissions (Scope 1, 2 & 3)
Develop a Carbon Management Plan
Take Action to Reduce
Declaration of a commitment to Carbon Neutrality
Offset residual emissions using verified carbon offsets
Produce a Qualifying Explanatory Statement (QAS)

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Net Zero Guidelines
IWA 42-2022(E)“This document provides guiding principles and recommendations to enable a common
approach with a high level of ambition, to drive organizations to achieve net zero GHGs
as soon as possible and by 2050 at the latest.”

Definitions from IWA 41-2022
net zeronet zero GHG condition in which human-caused residual GHG emissions are balanced byhuman-led removals over a specified period and within specified boundaries
Human-led removals include ecosystem restoration, direct air carbon capture andstorage, reforestation and afforestation, enhanced weathering (mixing soil with crushedrock), biochar and other effective methods.

Offset emissions reduction or removal resulting from an action outside the organization'sboundaries used to counterbalance the organization’s residual emissions

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Net Zero Guidelines
IWA 42-2022(E)
Targets:
The organization should set targets consistent with 50% global GHG emissions
reductions by 2030 (from a 2018 global baseline), achieving net zero by 2050 at
the latest, and supporting global efforts to limit global warming to 1,5 °C above
pre-industrial temperatures.

Net zero targets should include emissions related to all relevant GHGs and all Scope
1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions, as appropriate.

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Test of any good Carbon Offsetting project• Emission Reductions & Removals needto:– Be Additional (to business as usual –require additional funding to happen)– Be Measurable– Be Verifiable– Be Permanent– Avoid leakage (stopping emissions
being moved to another place)– Avoid double counting

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Leading International Standards• Provide and maintain methodologies for projects to follow• Validation process - to check projects meet the requirements• Ongoing Verification (by independent verifiers) – to verify the carbon
savings achieved• Registries to issue, transfer and retire credits on (preventing double
counting)• Issuance of Carbon Credits– 1 Carbon Credit = 1 tonne of CO2e saved• Standards are continuingly evolving – methodologies are reviewed on
regular cycles

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Full records and visibility of project documentation• Registration Documents– Project Description Document (PDD)– Validation Documents• Credit Issuance Document– Verification Documents– Monitoring Report– Issuance Deeds

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Carbon Registries• Registry accounts hold issued carbon credits• Allow transition of ownership (e.g. Project
developer to Carbon Offset Provider)• Allow credits to be retired /cancelled (e.g. on
behalf of the end customer)• Allow transparency (publicly viewable)• Audit trail (showing retirement, serial numbers,verification documentation etc.)

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Summary• Keep following the current best practice / guidelines as they evolve• Set Net Zero Targets for your organisation:– 50% reduction by 2030
– At least 90% reduction by 2050 (at the latest)– Plan to use Removal projects for the final 10%• You can be Carbon Neutral on the way to Net Zero
– Keep reducing emissions as much as you can (Scope 1, 2 &3)– Offset residual emissions each year using high quality Carbon Reduction and / or Carbon Removal– Gradually increasing the % of Carbon Removal

It is time to start on your Net Zero pathway and offset residual emissions
on the way
Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Thank You!
John BuckleyManaging Director, Carbon Footprint Ltd
john.buckley@carbonfootprint.com

Carbon Footprint Ltd

www.carbonfootprint.com© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2023

Sustainable Business Network

Amy Bompas
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
24 March 2023

Photo credits: Durrell, IPE, BiotropicosOur visionof thefutureA wilder, healthier, morecolourful world

"We have inherited an incredibly beautiful andcomplex garden, but the trouble is that wehave been appallingly bad gardeners…
By neglecting our garden, we are storing up
for ourselves, in the not very distant future, aworld catastrophe as bad as any atomic war,
and we are doing it with all the blandcomplacency of an idiot child chopping up a
Rembrandt with a pair of scissors. We goon, year after year, all over the world, creating
dust bowls and erosion, cutting down forestsand overgrazing our grasslands”

Gerald Durrell, 1966

Impactful nature
based solution• Sequestering carbon for 60 years bysaving habitat• Species-rich forest sequester 40 x morecarbon than monoculture• Link climate and biodiversity concerns• Project designed with local community• Longstanding relationship with local
partners• Reforestation – not avoided deforestation

More than justcarbon•Reduce Carbon•

Revive Ecosystems•

Recover Species•

Rebuild Livelihoods

Transparency &Integrity
Project Design Document – based on Plan

Vivo standard
Maximum funds to nature (>90%)
Registered Charity
In-house carbon registry avoids reselling or
double counting
Regular reports to business partners
Each funder knows where trees are planted
Project data publicly available on
www.restor.ecoImpact overcertification•

Expensive•

Slow process – 2 years•

Diverts funds from nature•

Outside consultants rather than local
experts

Atlantic Forest - Brazil

Atlantic Forest the challenge
One of world's richest, most biodiverse
habitats
7% of world's species, many endemic
6% of forest remains, in isolated fragments
Habitat loss leads to reduced genetic diversity
Risk of fatality for animals attempting to move
between fragments
Connectivity essential to wildlife
Challenges for landless community

Poverty up to 47% in project region
In the absence of carbon finance, forest would
not be restored due to lack of funding

Plantingmethodology
Field diagnosis to identify potential ofland and most appropriate methodology
Active planting and assisted naturalregeneration
Seedlings cultivated in local nurseries
2000 trees planted per ha100+ native species
Fast growing and diversity species
Maintained for 3-4 years until 80% forest
cover /3000 trees per haState legislation - guidelines and criteria forecological restoration;
Agreement with landowner – responsible for
fencing, protecting land
Agroforestry "stepping stones"

Carbonmethodology
Carbon sequestration potential estimate
383 tonnes CO2 / ha over a 30 year period

Based on local datasets and research
20% reduction in calculations to allow for error
20% insurance buffer
Annual remote sensing of forest

Use of LIDAR to monitor biomass of trees
Regular tests to monitor belowgroundbiomass
Dead wood and litter not included
No carbon leakage expected from project
activities
Risk analysis and mitigation strategies inplaceMonitoring
Protocols
Robust and science driven
Close collaboration with local partners

Protocol adapted from WRI Sustainability
Index for Forest Landscape Restoration
Effectiveness monitoring based onConservation Standards / Theory of Change

Verra standard monitoring protocols

January 2021

January 2023

Carbon impact
1,915,709 tonnes total carbon stock
383,141 tonnes risk buffer (20%)
35,220 tonnes retired
To be absorbed from atmosphere
Based on average 383 tonnes / ha over 30 years
1,497,348 tonnes carbon stock available*Data 31 Dec 2022

Reforestation impact
178,846 trees planted and being nurtured

92 native species
86 hectares forest under restoration*Data 28 Feb 2023

Biodiversity impact
Corridors create lifelines
Immediate benefit to biodiversity
Provide cover for mammals in 1-2 years
Contribute to conservation of:
100 mammal species
439 birds
30 amphibians

Durrell's first member of staff in Brazil tocoordinate and scale up our work

Biodiversity
projects fundedBlack lion tamarins
Canopy road crossings
Nest boxes
Translocation between forest fragments
Bromeliad frogs
Armadillos
Giant Anteaters

Durrell work with local partners

Community impact
62 jobs in community nurseries (29 of which
are women)
13 jobs in forest restoration
32 families benefit from additional salaries
Up to GBP 2,000 extra income per month

Mean monthly income of rural family in project
region is GBP 629*Data 31 Dec 2022

More
information?

Amy.Bompas@durrell.org
www.durrell.org/get-involved/rewild-carbon