Carbon credit trading specialists Carbon Advice Group, who are supporting the Financial Services Authority in its bid to drive out rogue operators in the fast-developing carbon trading sector, say track and trace mechanisms will provide the protection for investors. Founder and chief executive Matthew Sullivan said Carbon Advice Group welcomed Financial Services Authority warnings over rogue financial operators who were giving the industry a bad name and said it is important the FSA acts so that investors have confidence in the market. He said: It is clear IFAs and potential investors thinking of exploring the carbon credit market should proceed with caution the market is young and at the higher end of the risk spectrum and it does require expertise. It is important with such a young market that a few rogue operators are not allowed to discredit the entire sector and put people off the many different opportunities that are available. But we must remember that carbon credits were developed to increase global sustainability and help prevent rampant global warming. They are a way for businesses to take responsibility for what is happening in the world where Governments have failed and it is vital for all our futures that carbon credits are created and traded. Of course IFAs and their investor clients require access to these markets in a transparent, protected way and that is what we are fighting for. We are committed to the longevity of this market, protecting investors and will work with the FSA to get the regulatory conditions for carbon trading right. The simple message we are giving all IFAs is that carbon credit trading is here to stay, it is not a niche or short-term opportunity, but like all other business transactions needs to be considered properly and carefully. There are fantastic opportunities for early adopters, who can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, make a difference to energy poverty while also making sound investments. Carbon Advice Group has linked up with Pointon York enabling ethical investors to purchase carbon credits through a SIPP. The Pointon York SIPP allows investors to hold carbon credits issued by Carbon Advice Group within its SIPP wrapper helping to fund a range of low carbon, energy efficient and sustainable projects in developing nations, including wind, biomass and other renewable energy schemes. The FSA said rogue operators were using aggressive tactics cold calling targets promising quick profits on the back of legislation obliging industries to offset their emissions. Matthew Sullivan said: Our entire operation is geared up so that investments are checked and tracked at every stage. We have developed a ground-breaking track and trace mechanism and only work with carbon credits that are real, issued and held on a qualifying carbon credit registry. He said investors should look for projects that satisfy the UN Clean Development Mechanism (Certified Emissions Reductions) or an internationally recognised standard such as the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or the Gold Standard. Said Mr Sullivan: We provide end-to-end trading and carbon credit custodianship services, online track and trace mechanisms, support and market updates so ethical investors can fully understand how their investment is linked to selected low-carbon projects throughout the world. We have secured SIPP approval for the credits we sell and are working to develop a Sustainability Fund to open the market up even wider to retail investors. ENDS Issued on behalf of Carbon Advice Group by Empica. For further information contact Simon Harding or Martin Powell (01275) 394400.

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