"Carbon offsets have a role of "last resort" in addressing climate change. The Trust promotes the "Measure, Avoid, Reduce, Offset" approach. Offsets should only be used when all other options have been exhausted. That said in order to engage business and have them implement carbon reductions the economics of the situation must be kept in mind. Whilst we are happy to provide carbon offsets our preference is to help the client modify their behaviour to reduce GHGGreenhouse Gases in the earth's atmosphere absorb and re-emit infrared radiation. The Kyoto ProtocolAn international agreement linked to the UNFCCC and sharing its aim of stabilising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, but requiring separate ratification by governments. The Kyoto Protocol, among other things, sets binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by industrialized countries. It entered into force for ratifying countries in February 2006 and commits developed nations to collectively cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 per cent of 1990 levels by 2012. Came into force in Australia on 11 March 2008. lists six major greenhouse gases, which vary in their relative warming effect. The six gases are: carbon dioxideA greenhouse gas that is produced as a by-product of oil and gas production, burning fossil fuels and biomass, as well as from all animals, plants, and a number of other natural sources. Carbon dioxide is the principal anthropogenic greenhouse gas that affects the earth’s temperature. (CO2), methaneMethane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas with a GWP of 21. (CH4), nitrous oxideAgriculture accounts for the majority of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in Australia, The transport sector also contributes to emissions of N2O. N2O has a high global warming potential of about 310 times that of CO2.it breaks down very slowly – over about 120 years (N2O), HFCs (hydrofluorocarbonsMajor releases of HFCs are from leakage from refrigeration equipment during operation and its end-of-life destruction. Minor releases arise from the use of HFC-containing aerosols, air conditioners and metered dose inhalers.HFCs have very high global warming potentials (140 to 11,700 times that of carbon dioxide).), PFCsMost emissions of PFCs in Australia are generated during aluminium production. PFCs have extremely high global warming potentials (5000 to 10,000 times that of carbon dioxide). However, because they are only released in relatively small amounts, their contribution to global warming is minor. Due to their stability they have very long atmospheric lifetimes (thousands of years). (perfluorocarbons) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is a man-made chemical. The major sources of SF6 release include leakage from electrical switchgear, from magnesium smelting processes and use in semiconductor manufacture. It has by far the highest global warming potential (23,900 times that of carbon dioxide), however it is only released in relatively small amounts.). emissions. Our carbon offsets are sourced through accredited third parties ie The Gold StandardA certification standard for carbon offset projects. Initiated by WWF, SSN and Helio International, the Gold Standard for CDMClean Development Mechanism is a Kyoto Protocol mechanism under which projects set up in developing countries to reduce GHGs generate tradeable credits called CERs. The credits can be used by industrialised nations to help meet their Kyoto reduction targets. Find out more here. projects was launched in 2003 after wide-ranging stakeholder consultation among key actors of the carbon market as well as governments. For more information see here., VCSThe VCS ProgramThe VCS Program includes the standard (VCS 2007) and the Program Guidelines 2007. The VCS Program provides a new global standard and criteria for validating, measuring, and monitoring voluntary carbon offset projects. For more information, see here. includes the standard (VCS 2007Is a certification standard for carbon offset projects. It provides a global standard for voluntary GHG emission reduction and removal projects and their validation and verification.) and the Program Guidelines 2007. The VCS Program provides a new global standard and criteria for validating, measuring, and monitoring voluntary carbon offset projects. For more information, see here., CERsCertified Emission ReductionsCertified Emission Reductions are credits generated under Kyoto's CDM. One CER unit is equivalent to the reduction of one metric tonne of CO2e. They are designed to be used by industrialised countries to count towards meeting their Kyoto targets. They can also be used as part of domestic targets, for example EU companies and governments use them as offsets against their emissions under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. are credits generated under Kyoto's CDM. One CER unit is equivalent to the reduction of one metric tonne of CO2eCarbon dioxide equivalent. In order to compare emissions between the six Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gases they have been assigned a global warming potential (GWP) measured in carbon dioxide equivalents to reflect their influence on warming the atmosphere. GWP is a relative scale, where CO2 = 1. The other gases are given a number based on their effect on the atmosphere relative to CO2. For example, methane has a GWP of 21, meaning it has 21 times the amount of heating capacity of CO2.. They are designed to be used by industrialised countries to count towards meeting their Kyoto targets. They can also be used as part of domestic targets, for example EU companies and governments use them as offsets against their emissions under the EU Emissions TradingUsually means an ETS. In relation to the Kyoto Protocol, Annex I countries can trade emissions reduction credits in order to comply with their Kyoto-assigned targets. (See also ETS.) Scheme., NGACsNew South Wales Greenhouse Gas Abatement CertificateNew South Wales Greenhouse Gas Abatement Certificate is a tradeable commodity used in the NSW GGAS. One NGAC represents the abatement of one tonne of CO2e associated with the consumption of electricity in NSW. NGACs are transferable certificates that may only be created by accredited abatement certificate providers. is a tradeable commodity used in the NSW GGASNew South Wales Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme commenced on 1 January 2003 and targets are set until 2012. It is one of the first mandatory greenhouse gas emissions trading schemes in the world. GGAS aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and use of electricity. For more information see here. . One NGAC represents the abatement of one tonne of CO2e associated with the consumption of electricity in NSW. NGACs are transferable certificates that may only be created by accredited abatement certificate providers., and Greenhouse FriendlyGreenhouse Friendly 'The Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative has been operating since 2001 to certify carbon neutralA voluntary mechanism where an activity, event, household, business or organisation is responsible for no net emissions of greenhouse gases and can therefore be declared carbon neutral in that specific area. Carbon neutrality can be achieved by reducing emissions as far as possible (e.g. energy efficiency, purchasing renewable energy) and then purchasing offsets for any residual emissions in order to achieve zero net emissions. products and services and approve abatement credits for sale on the voluntary market, including to Greenhouse Friendly™ certified product and service providers. Introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction SchemeAustralia's cap and trade scheme which will come in to effect in 2010. The CPRS will place a limit, or cap, on the amount of carbon pollution industry can emit and allow trading of carbon credits. It will concentrate on the biggest polluters, by placing obligations on around 1000 Australian companies in total. However it will effect all Australians through indirect price increases. (the Scheme) has implications for Greenhouse Friendly™. The Scheme will have broad sectoral coverage, which means there will be less scope to pursue offset activities with offsets limited to emissions sources uncovered by the Scheme. This means the Scheme will impact on the types of abatement that can be provided, because abatement in sectors covered by the Scheme will no longer be additional to “business as usual”. For these reasons Greenhouse Friendly™ will wind up on 1 July 2010. Greenhouse Friendly™ certification of carbon neutral products and services will continue to operate until 1 July 2010. Applications for new abatement projects have closed. Abatement may be generated by current Greenhouse Friendly™ abatement providers up to 1 July 2010, and may still be sold and purchased after that date. offsets.
The Trust's role is to educate small and medium business and to assist them in modifying their operations and practices to reduce their carbon emissions. We provide audit services and identify potential projects that businesses can be involved in to produce carbon credits either through their own direct actions or through funding the more traditional emission reduction projects."