PAS 2060 is a publicly available specification published by the British Standards Institution that defines the requirements for demonstrating and substantiating carbon neutrality for an organisation, product or activity. It sets out a four-stage process of quantification, reduction, offsetting and documentation, requiring a qualifying explanatory statement and credible offsets for residual emissions. The specification is widely used as a recognised benchmark for verifiable carbon-neutrality claims.
- PAS 2060 is a publicly available specification setting requirements for demonstrating Carbon Neutrality for organisations, products or activities.
- It mandates Carbon Accounting via a Greenhouse Gas Inventory, reduction, and credible Carbon Offset of residual emissions.
Overview
- PAS 2060 provides a recognised framework so that carbon-neutrality claims are consistent, transparent and verifiable.
- It follows a defined sequence: quantify emissions, reduce them, offset what remains, and document the claim.
- A qualifying explanatory statement records the methodology, boundaries and offset choices for assurance.
Key aspects
- Quantification of the subject’s greenhouse gas footprint.
- A reduction plan with targets and timelines.
- Offsetting of residual emissions using credible, additional credits.
- Documentation and a qualifying explanatory statement.
- Periodic re-assessment to maintain the neutrality claim.
Mechanisms
- Emissions are measured following recognised inventory methodologies.
- Reduction commitments precede reliance on offsets, prioritising real cuts.
- Offsets must meet recognised quality criteria to count toward neutrality.
- Verification, self-validation or independent certification substantiates the claim.
Applications
- Substantiating organisational carbon-neutral claims.
- Product- and event-level neutrality declarations.
- Supplier and procurement requirements for verifiable claims.
- Marketing and disclosure where credibility matters.