Businesses will be able to demonstrate their green credentials under a scheme announced by The Carbon Trust.

The body hopes the system will put an end to so-called "greenwash" where companies can claim they are environmentally friendly without having to meet any exact criteria.

Under the proposals companies meeting the Carbon Trust standards will be awarded a certificate which the body claims will show consumers they are genuinely taking action to reduce their carbon emissions throughout their supply chains.

"Not only do consumers currently mistrust business' climate change claims but business thinks existing carbon award schemes are confusing and lack credibility," said Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust.

"What business and consumers both share is a desire for one, credible way to prove an organisation has not only measured but actually reduced their carbon emissions year-on-year without the use of offsetting."