BREEAM
(Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)
BREEAM is a tool which measures the sustainability of non domestic buildings including hotels and other event venues, and is known to set standards for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation. This building certification sets recognised measures of performance against established sustainability benchmarks such as energy and water use, internal health and wellbeing, transport, materials, pollution, ecology and management processes.
More information can be found at www.breeam.org
LEED
This internationally recognised green building certification scheme provides a framework for implementing measurable green building practices in the life cycle of a building, from design and construction to operations and maintenance. Originally developed by the US Green Building Council in 2000, the certification is now being awarded to buildings globally.
We heart local
We heart local is a food based program part of Buy Local. Eat Natural campaign in British Columbia (BC). Aimed to inspire and encourage consumers to purchase, but also recognise and enjoy local food and agriculture.
BC farmers, producers, restaurants, retailers and vendors are welcome to join the year-around program.
How to get involved?
We heart local informs: "Qualifying is as simple as fitting the criteria and submitting your details. If you’re a business that features local farmed or harvested foods from within BC, or a processor who packages any food in BC with local ingredients, then you’re already a contender for the program"
For criteria and more information on how to become a member please visit We heart local website:
http://buylocaleatnatural.com/we-heart-local/
EKOenergy
EKOenergy is an ecolabel for electricity. The purpose of the ecolabel is to assure the consumer that their purchase makes a difference. Unsurprisingly only electricity originating from renewable sources can be sold under the EKOenergy label.
EKOenergy is more than just renewable electricity, it also a network of 28 environmental NGOs from across 21 European countries.
EKOenergy aims to:
- stimulate the development of the renewable electricity sector and to promote climate friendly solutions
- contribute to the protection of biodiversity, habitats and ecosystem services
- inform all electricity consumers about the product they are buying and about the meaning and impact of their purchase.
- mobilize the positive energy of 1000′s of individuals, groups and companies sharing our ambition, and to give them the opportunity to get involved.
- foster the dialogue between and join forces with the electricity sector, the environmental NGOs and other stakeholders (e.g. consumer organizations and authorities).
EKOenergy fulfills sustainability requirements and criteria set by the EKOenergy Network,
Electricity suppliers can sell EKOenergy labeled electricity to consumers if they have signed the EKOenergy Licence Agreement and if they fulfill all requirements of that Licence Agreement and of the text ‘EKOenergy – Network and label’.
List of licensed EKOenergy suppliers
The criteria listed in the Licence Agreement and in the text ‘EKOenergy – Network and label’ deal with the following aspects:
- The consumers have to be properly informed, e.g. about where and how the electricity has been produced (chapter 6 of the text ‘EKOenergy – Network and label’)
- EKOenergy is always renewable electricity. On top of that, it fulfills the sustainability criteria set by the EKOenergy Network, and a part of the electricity price goes to the EKOenergy Climate Fund (chapters 7, 8 & 9 of the text ‘EKOenergy – Network and label’)
- Tracking and avoidance of double counting (chapter 10 of the text ‘EKOenergy – Network and label’)
- Auditing and verification (chapter 11 of the text ‘EKOenergy – Network and label’)
EKOenergy website: http://ekoenergy.org
Naturemade
naturemade is the quality mark for ecologically produced energy (naturemade star) and energy from renewable sources (naturemade basic). The mark is awarded after thorough inspection by the Association for environmentally sound energy (VUE).
naturemade stands for credible quality and ecological improvement.
naturemade enjoys wide support. Environmental and consumer organizations, renewable energy associations, major energy consumers and large, medium and small energy suppliers and producers are all represented in VUE and on its Board.
KRAV
KRAV is a key player in the organic market in Sweden since 1985. We develop organic standards and promote the KRAV-label.
The KRAV-label stands for:
- Sound, natural environment
- Solid care for animals
- Good health
- Social responsibility
Rainforest Certified
Many businesses claim their products are sustainable, but how do consumers really know? Increasingly, they are demanding an independent, third-party seal of approval. Distinguish your goods and services through the Rainforest Alliance's family of marks.
Farms, forestry operations and other businesses that meet the appropriate certification and verification standards earn access to the Rainforest Alliance family of marks for on- and off-product promotions.
Agriculture
Rainforest Alliance Certification offers farms a way to distinguish their products as being socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.
Forestry
Our diverse set of certification and verification services includes forest certification; legality, logging and forest carbon verification and validation; and forest products chain-of-custody certification (wood, paper, furniture and more).
Tourism
We offer verification services to hotels, restaurants and inbound tour operators who are interested in improving their environmental, social and economic practices and are on their way to obtaining certification.
Forest Carbon
We offer validation and verification services to forest-based carbon projects under a variety of credible standards, including the Chicago Climate Exchange, Plan Vivo and the Verified Carbon Standard.
www.rainforest-alliance.org/certification-verification
Organic Farmers & Growers
Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G) is a leading UK organic control body with a reputation for practical, efficient and friendly service.
Talk to us about the inspection and licensing of organic food processing,farming, body care products and other organic enterprises, as well as certification of anaerobic digestion outputs to PAS 110 and the Quality Digestate Protocol and composting certification to PAS 100 and the Compost Quality Protocol.
OF&G offers the opportunity to combine organic inspections with other key certification programmes, including BRC, FABBL, FABBL Crop, Assured Produce, Assured British Pigs, etc. (now with a discount available for joint Organic/BRC inspections).
www.organicfarmers.org.uk
Organic Food Federation
The Organic Food Federation was established in 1986 and is now one of the UK’s leading certification bodies operating nationally in all areas of organics.
The Federation (operating under the code UK4) provides a professional and personal service to a wide range of registrants.
We are UKAS accredited to EN45011.
Through our partners we are also able to offer BRC certification.
We are also authorised to carry out NOP (National Organic Program) audits to the requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture and private standard audits as required.
Our inspectors are highly qualified within their field and are all licensed by Defra.
All sectors of organic activity from across the UK and EU benefit from our inspection and certification service enabling trade without barrier.
www.orgfoodfed.com
Red Tractor
Red Tractor Assurance exists to maintain, develop and promote standards throughout the whole food industry.
1. Food Safety
Hygiene’s important at home, so why shouldn’t it be for farmers and food companies too? Our food safety standards ensure cleanliness and hygiene all the way from the farms to pack.
2. Animal Welfare
When you choose Red Tractor, you’re choosing high animal welfare standards. Our veterinary and food industry experts are constantly refining these standards to promote the health and welfare of animals in farming.
3. Protecting the Environment
Farmers look after around 75% of the land area of the UK, so their work can have a big impact on the landscape. Red Tractor standards include responsible farming methods, so when you’re buying Red Tractor food it means you’re playing a part too.
4. Food origin
‘Food miles’ are a real concern for shoppers. The flag in the Red Tractor logo guarantees the food’s origin. The Union Flag provides an independently verified guarantee that the food you’re buying has been farmed, processed and packed in the UK.
5. Rigorous standards
Our standards need to be meaningful and enforceable. That’s why over 78,000 farmers and 500 plus food packers and manufacturers working to Red Tractor standards are independently checked, verified and inspected.
6. Traceability
Because Red Tractor covers every step of the food production chain, we can trace all Red Tractor products right back to their farms of origin.
7. Independence and Integrity
Red Tractor Assurance (the body behind the Red Tractor logo), operates on a not-for-profit basis. Our independent chairman is supported by the most respected scientists, academics and industry professionals; such as vets, processors and animal welfare experts.