The UK is to open the world's first carbon measurement unit to support the science of emissions reduction, climate change and low carbon technology.
The renowned National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s National Measurement Institute, is to launch the new centre to provide the necessary measurement infrastructure for the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy.
And it has appointed environment expert Jane Burston to establish the centre and head up the work.
Jane will lead an existing team aimed at successfully launching the proposed Centre for Carbon Measurement at NPL, which, along with its partners, will provide the necessary measurement infrastructure to support government, business and academia.
Jane joins NPL from Carbon Retirement, a social enterprise she co-founded in 2008 that takes an innovative approach to carbon offsetting. For this she has won several awards, including being named in Management Today’s ’35 high-flying women under 35’ list and as Square Mile magazine’s ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year’ for 2011.
Plans for the carbon measurement unit were drawn up in response to the threat of global climate change, which requires policies to reduce emissions through low carbon energy generation, improved efficiency, development of low carbon technologies and behavioural change.
Key to achieving these policies is putting in place the right supporting infrastructure. Reliable measurements with a sound scientific and technical basis will improve the understanding of the global climate, support policies for mitigating climate change, and accelerate the development of low-carbon technologies.
The Centre for Carbon Measurement will focus on three areas:
* Improving climate data: NPL will work with climate scientists to improve the accuracy and consistency of climate data through data auditing, setting standards, developing measurement technology, and instrumentation testing. Improved data will help improve the modelling of climate change and enable better policies for mitigation and adaptation.
* Carbon trading and pricing: As the international community seeks to develop more sophisticated tools for carbon reporting and trading and as the carbon price rises, NPL will develop the underpinning measurement science and technology to support it. This will enable regulation, ensure a fair and stable market, support businesses in reporting and managing emissions, and provide confidence to establish and operate international agreements.
* Low carbon technologies: NPL will provide access to the best measurement techniques for developers of low carbon technology, which will allow scientific validation of their performance, giving confidence to investors, suppliers and buyers. Such support is key to commercialising advances in areas such as energy efficient technology, fuel cells, photovoltaics and offshore renewables.
Jane said: “Accurate and reliable measurement and scientifically supported standards are a vital part of reducing carbon emissions. Without a robust measurement infrastructure, it is difficult to know the scale of the problem or the adequacy of the solutions – whether those solutions are policies, projects or technologies.
“NPL is a world leading centre of excellence in measurement science with the expertise to make a real difference in this area. I am very pleased to be leading its work in climate science and low carbon technology.”
Prior to establishing Carbon Retirement, Jane worked as a consultant in the environmental sector for several years, including on climate change policy for Transport for London and the Mayor of London’s office, and as an external consultant to a range of FTSE 100 businesses, public sector organisations and SMEs.
She brings a wealth of expertise on climate science and key connections in the climate change and wider sustainability sector across academia, government and business.
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