Positive Attitudes Towards Forest Carbon Offsets Have Significantly Increased in the Past Year, Especially in Europe

DUBLIN, May 4, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EcoSecurities, a leading organisation in the business of sourcing and developing greenhouse gas emission reduction projects, Conservation International, The Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance, ClimateBiz and Norton Rose Group announce the findings of their second annual 'forest carbon offsetting report 2010', which focuses on corporations' attitudes towards carbon offsets from forestry projects.

The survey received responses from 207 organisations. Specifically, 157 responses from global, multinational and regional companies covering a diverse range of sectors and industries, and 50 responses from specialised carbon companies. Highlights of the research include:

    - Positive attitudes towards forest carbon offsetting have increased in
      the past year, with nearly 80% of respondents having a 'positive' or
      'very positive' attitude compared to only 58% in 2009;

    - In particular, the most significant change in attitude was from Europe
      where 84% of participants claim to have a 'positive' or 'very positive'
      attitude compared to 36% in 2009;

    - Participants highlighted the most important factor when purchasing
      forest carbon offsets are carbon standards (89%), closely followed by
      project location (84%), project type (80%) and the projects' ability to
      generate additional community and biodiversity benefits (83% & 77%
      respectively);

    - Reforestation with native species (89%) and avoided deforestation (78%)
      were rated the most desirable types of forestry project;

    - South America (74%) was the most sought-after region from which to
      purchase forest carbon credits;

    - The Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, Community &
      Biodiversity (CCB) Standards were the two most popular carbon standards
      (73% and 64% respectively).

Paul Kelly, CEO of EcoSecurities, commented, "Forestry has always been at the centre of international climate change negotiations. It's hugely encouraging to see that despite the lack of clarity which still surrounds impending regulation the majority of survey respondents have a very positive attitude to forestry and are actively seeking ways to reduce GHGs and mitigate climate change through forest carbon offsets."

Andrew Hedges, Partner, Norton Rose Group, commented, "Many of these findings accord with our experience of what is happening on the ground with early stage investment in this important sector, particularly the emergence of VCS and CCBA as the preferred combination of standards."

"The latest forest carbon offset survey shows encouraging support for carbon forestry projects in general and projects that factor in the value of biodiversity and communities into that project equation specifically," said Dr. Joanna Durbin, Director of the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance. "Companies increasingly recognise that forest carbon can be a key component of their climate change commitment and are developing a clear understanding of the elements of quality and standards that they seek in terms of social and environmental performance, as well as robust carbon accounting."

For a full version of the Forest Carbon Offsetting Survey 2010, please visit

http://www.ecosecurities.com/Standalone/Forest_carbon_offsetting_report_2

010/default.aspx

(Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.)

Notes to Editors:

About EcoSecurities:

EcoSecurities is one of the leading organisations in the business of sourcing and developing emission reductions. The company started 13 years ago with a focus on forestry activities, and now has one of the largest and most diverse carbon offset portfolios in the market. In addition EcoSecurities also provides clients with consultancy support services, helping them understand and deal with an increasingly carbon constrained world.

For further information, please visit http://www.ecosecurities.com

Conservation International:

Conservation International (CI) is one of the world's leading international conservation NGOs with projects or programs in about 40 countries. CI's mission focuses on the linkage between the protection of natural systems and human well-being.

The Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance:

The Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) is a partnership of international NGOs seeking to foster the development of forest protection and restoration activities around the world that deliver significant social and environmental benefits. With this goal in mind, the CCBA has developed voluntary standards to help design and identify land management projects that simultaneously minimise climate change, support sustainable development and conserve biodiversity.

ClimateBiz:

ClimateBiz is the leading business resource for climate management. ClimateBiz informs CFOs, CIOs, supply-chain, operations and other executives on the key business issues in climate and carbon. The website and its free fortnightly newsletter ClimateBiz News offer news, best practices and resources in such areas as carbon measurement, reduction and trading; renewable energy; and carbon offsets.

Norton Rose Group:

Norton Rose Group is a leading international legal practice. We offer a full business law service from our offices across Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

Knowing how our clients' businesses work and understanding what drives their industries is fundamental to us. Our lawyers share industry knowledge and sector expertise across borders, enabling us to support our clients anywhere in the world. We are strong in financial institutions; energy; infrastructure and commodities; transport; and technology.

Norton Rose Group comprises Norton Rose LLP, Norton Rose Australia and their respective affiliates.

SOURCE EcoSecurities