The Swiss government has launched a tender to buy CERs with “high sustainability co-benefits” to offset flight travel by its officials and other emissions from governmental activity.

Since 2010 the government has centralised purchasing for the partial offsetting of its own emissions, which in 2013 totalled 45,000 tonnes of CO2.

Companies bidding must be able to deliver spot CERs in June/July this year, and similar tenders will be held during the second quarter of each of the next three years.

Up to six companies will be contracted, according to the tender document on the government’s procurement website.

Switzerland was one of the biggest buyers of CERs to help meet its national emissions target under the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

But the country changed has changed tack under the second commitment period (2013-2020) and is planning to meet its target using only domestic emission reductions.

By Ben Garside – ben@carbon-pulse.com