Carbon Reduction Institute

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    Primary activity : RetailerCarbon offset retailers either fund or purchase carbon offsets in large quantities and then on sell them to individual consumers in smaller quantities.    Price (per tonne CO2e) : AU$11 - AU$20

    Summary

    Carbon Reduction Institute's view on the role of carbon offsets in addressing climate change

    "There is no single answer to climate change. Offsets are part of the solution. They drive funding into carbon reducing initiatives. Offsets however cannot be the sole driver for investment into climate change; stronger legal instruments are needed to provide incentives for carbon reducing behaviours and prevent emitting activities from continuing."


    Detailed InformationClick on the tabs below for more information:

    Summary

    Role in the Carbon Offset Market
    [Q1]Retailer
    Main client base
    [Q3]Businesses

    Offset Products

    Offset Products

    Price(s) per tonne
    [Q17]AU$11 - AU$20
    Project Type(s)
    [Q23]- Energy Efficiency
    - Biomass
    Are offsets packaged with other services (such as footprinting, carbon neutrality etc)?
    [Q10]Yes

    [Find out more about project types]

    Offset Quality

    Offset Quality

    Organisation is licensed to provide financial advice (or to be an authorised representative in providing financial advice) in the context of brokerage of carbon commodities
    [Q23a]Information not provided
    Offsets generated and sold by Carbon Reduction Institute
    [Q33a]- Independently verified emission reductions VERsVerified Emission Reductions or Voluntary Emissions Reductions are tradable credits for greenhouse emission reduction activities generated to meet voluntary demand for carbon credits by organisations and individuals wanting to offset their own emissions. VERs can be generated from projects to which a range of circumstances might apply, including:
    - are either based in a country that has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol (e.g. USA) or does not have the infrastructure to support CDM project development;
    - have not yet been registered under the CDM;
    - fall outside the scope of the CDM;
    - are too small to warrant the costs of CDM approval;
    - are specifically developed for the voluntary market.
    How does your organisation calculate the amount and price of carbon offset required by customers?
    [Q10]- Customer’s online data input about flights, car usage, electricity consumption etc. (i.e. online only service)
    - Personal contact from clients with specific needs for type of offset and tonnage
    - Personal contact from customers wanting the service of carbon footprinting and (generic) offset purchase to achieve carbon neutrality
    - Greenhouse audits using tax-quality data
    Relevant third party verification (not accreditation / certification)
    [Q35] - Independently verified to 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. Standard by Det Norske Veritas Certification Ltd (DNV)
    Do you provide quality assurance or technical documentation on your web site or on request?
    [Q16]

    http://www.noco2.com.au/web/page/offset

    Is your organisation audited by an independent third party for the sale and retirement of offsets and / or RECs?
    [Q16b] No
    Does your organisation supply National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) or NCOS compliant abatement to customers from 1st July 2010?
    [Q18] Yes, NCOS compliantAbatement that is compliant with the National Carbon Offset Standard. NCOS compliant abatement currently includes Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs) except long term (lCERs) and temporary (tCERs); Emission Reduction Units (ERUs); Removal Units (RMUs); Voluntary Emissions Reductions (VERs) issued by the Gold Standard*; Voluntary Carbon Units (VCUs) issued by the Voluntary Carbon Standard, however where VCU credits are issued for reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) and other agriculture forestry and land use (AFOLU) projects, they must apply methodologies approved under the NCOS Standard. abatementA reduction in the amount or intensity of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of actions taken by a company or individual.
    [Q19]
    What evidence of purchase can customers expect to receive when buying carbon offsets from your organisation?
    - Certificate for amount of offset purchased
    - Tax Invoice
    What documentation is available to customers about the carbon offset project/s as part of the education and quality assurance process?
    [Q22]- Validation Report – From the Relevant Standard


    [Find out more about issues relating to offsetting]
    [Find out more about Certification Standards]

    Resources

    Resources

    Do you provide a carbon footprint calculation service for your customers?
    [Q12]- Yes, our own online calculator
    - Yes, personalised assessment
    Carbon calculation - methodology, standards or guidelines
    [Q13]- NGA FactorsThe National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) Factors is an Australian guide to emission factors from a range of sectors that is used by companies to calculate greenhouse gases. It is prepared by the Department of Climate Change and replaces the AGO Factors & Methods Workbook. For more information, see here.
    - GHG ProtocolThe Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The GHG Protocol is an international accounting tool for government and business to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. It has been developed by a partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and provides an internationally accepted accounting framework for GHG standards and programs, as well as inventories prepared by individual companies.
    - ISO 14000ISO 14000 is a set of international standards, which provide a framework for the development of an environmental management system (EMS) and supporting audit programs. The ISO 14000 series are intended to help organisations comply with applicable laws, regulations and requirements and to continually improve on their environmental performance.
    - ISO 14064A global GHG accounting, reporting and verification standard. The goal of the standard is to 'provide a set of unambiguous and verifiable requirements or specifications to support organisations and proponents of GHG emissions reductions projects.'
    - Carbon Trust’s PAS 2050PAS 2050 is a product carbon footprinting standard. It provides a method for assessing the GHG emissions arising from products across their life cycle, from initial sourcing of raw materials through manufacture, transport, use and ultimately recycling or waste. The Carbon Trust and Defra co-sponsored the publication by the British Standards Institution of PAS 2050.
    Do you apply National Greenhouse Accounts Factors full fuel cycle emissions conversion factors to calculate customer emissions?
    [Q14]- Yes
    In your calculation of customer emissions which of the 6 Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gases do you include?
    [Q15]- Carbon dioxideA greenhouse gas that is produced as a by-product of oil and gas production, burning fossil fuels and biomassBiomass is non-fossilized and organic biodegradable material that can be used as fuel or for industrial production. Most commonly, biomass refers to plant matter grown for use as Biofuels, but it also includes plant or animal matter used for production of fibres, chemicals or heat. Biomass may also include biodegradable wastes that can be burnt as fuel. , 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.
    - MethaneMethane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas with a GWPGlobal warming potential (GWP) measured in CO2e, is the potency of greenhouse gases, meaning their ability to trap heat in the atmosphere, through the difference in time greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere, and their effectiveness in absorbing outgoing infrared radiation. The GWP is a numerical measure relative to carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas. So carbon dioxide itself has a GWP of 1 and, for example, methane has a GWP of 21. of 21.
    - 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 potentialGlobal warming potential (GWP) measured in CO2e, is the potency of greenhouse gases, meaning their ability to trap heat in the atmosphere, through the difference in time greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere, and their effectiveness in absorbing outgoing infrared radiation. The GWP is a numerical measure relative to carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas. So carbon dioxide itself has a GWP of 1 and, for example, methane has a GWP of 21. of about 310 times that of CO2A 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..it breaks down very slowly – over about 120 years
    - Sulphur hexafluorideSulphur 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.) is a man-made chemical. The major sources of SF6 release include leakageIn relation to carbon offsets, leakage is the direct or indirect increase in GHG emissions from a greenhouse gas reduction project, which is also measurable and attributable to the project. from electrical switchgear, from magnesium smelting processes and use in semiconductor manufacture. It has by far the highest global warming potentialGlobal warming potential (GWP) measured in CO2e, is the potency of greenhouse gases, meaning their ability to trap heat in the atmosphere, through the difference in time greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere, and their effectiveness in absorbing outgoing infrared radiation. The GWP is a numerical measure relative to carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas. So carbon dioxide itself has a GWP of 1 and, for example, methane has a GWP of 21. (23,900 times that of 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.), however it is only released in relatively small amounts.
    - HydrofluorocarbonsMajor releases of HFCs are from leakageIn relation to carbon offsets, leakage is the direct or indirect increase in GHG emissions from a greenhouse gas reduction project, which is also measurable and attributable to the project. 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 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.).
    - PerfluorocarbonsMost emissions of 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). in Australia are generated during aluminium production. PFCs have extremely high global warming potentials (5000 to 10,000 times that of 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.). 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).
    Other carbon management services
    [Q11]- Footprinting services
    - Advisory services
    - Carbon neutrality
    - Scoping customer emissions
    - Auditing
    - Emissions reductionA measurable reduction in the level of greenhouse gases being emitted by a country, state, organisation or individual. products and services e.g. sale of energy efficient products
    - Emissions monitoring

    [Find out more about carbon offsetting]

    Projects

    Project Information

    New Zealand Household Energy Efficient Lighting Projects (HELP) | International International Energy Efficiency Independently verified emission reductions VERs

    General Information

    This project is not owned by Carbon Reduction Institute | The HELP project was implemented by Energy Mad Limited. Energy Mad is a New Zealand based company with a mandate to reduce enough electricity to power Europe. In rolling out the project, Energy Mad partnered with electricity network utilities and retailerCarbon offset retailers either fund or purchase carbon offsets in large quantities and then on sell them to individual consumers in smaller quantities. outlets throughout New Zealand to offer consumers five Ecobulbs for $10.00, using a voucher redemption process. The installation of these Ecobulbs in the place of incandescent lamps leads to a direct reduction in fossil fuelFossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy formed from fossilised organic matter. Coal, oil and natural gas are the most widely used fossil fuels in energy production. Most of Australia's primary energy is derived from fossil fuels. electricity generation.
    Energy Mad engaged United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangeThe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was established in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit and currently has 189 signatory countries. It is aimed at stabilising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. appointed Designated Operational Entity, Det Norske Veritas Certification, to carry out the independent validation of the HELP design. The New Zealand HELP achieved independent validation on 16 January 2008 to Voluntary Carbon StandardThe 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. 2007. Validation against this standard ensures that the project meets all of CRI’s carbon credit standards; including financial additionality, environmental additionality, permanence and assessment of leakageIn relation to carbon offsets, leakage is the direct or indirect increase in GHGGreenhouse Gases in the earth's atmosphere absorb and re-emit infrared radiation. The Kyoto Protocol lists six major greenhouse gases, which vary in their relative warming effect. The six gases are: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), PFCs (perfluorocarbons) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). emissions from a greenhouse gas reduction project, which is also measurable and attributable to the project.. This gives a promise to our clients that the greenhouse savings from these credits have occurred.


    Price per tonne of CO2e
    [Q24]

    $16.50


    Quality

    Accreditation or certification achieved as at May 2010
    [Q33a]- Independently verified emission reductions VERsVerified Emission Reductions or Voluntary Emissions Reductions are tradable credits for greenhouse emission reduction activities generated to meet voluntary demand for carbon credits by organisations and individuals wanting to offset their own emissions. VERs can be generated from projects to which a range of circumstances might apply, including:
    - are either based in a country that has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol (e.g. USA) or does not have the infrastructure to support CDM project development;
    - have not yet been registered under the CDM;
    - fall outside the scope of the CDM;
    - are too small to warrant the costs of CDM approval;
    - are specifically developed for the voluntary market.
    Relevant third party verification (not accreditation / certification)
    [Q35]

    - These emission reductions are verified to the Voluntary Carbon StandardThe 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. 2007 by Det Norske Veritas Certification Ltd. (DNV), but these credits are not approved by the VCS, although later credits from this project are.

    Are the verified emission reductions created from this project NCOS compliant abatement?
    [Q36]

    - No

    Is this project additional to Australia's commitments under Kyoto
    [Q37]- Yes

    7.5 MW Grid-Connected Biomass Power Project, by Ravi Kiran Power Projects Private Limited | International International Biomass Independently verified emission reductions VERs

    General Information

    This project is not owned by Carbon Reduction Institute | The project generates renewable energy from the collection and clean burning of waste agricultural products, such as rice husks, purchased from local farmers. The farmers are paid for their waste, providing a new source of income for the local community.
    The Karnataka Project avoids the emission of greenhouse gasesGreenhouse 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.). via two important processes. Firstly, the collectino of waste ensures that the residual crops do not rot and decay in the fields, causing methaneMethane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas with a GWP of 21. . Secondly, the Project feeds electricity into the grid and displaces electricity generation from fossil fuels. In total, the Project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30,000 tonnes of CO2eCarbon dioxide equivalentCarbon 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.. In order to compare emissions between the six Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gases they have been assigned a global warming potentialGlobal warming potential (GWP) measured in CO2e, is the potency of greenhouse gases, meaning their ability to trap heat in the atmosphere, through the difference in time greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere, and their effectiveness in absorbing outgoing infrared radiation. The GWP is a numerical measure relative to carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas. So carbon dioxide itself has a GWP of 1 and, for example, methane has a GWP of 21. (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. per year.
    The offsets generated by the Project have been third-party audited by DNV and are accredited to the Voluntary Carbon StandardThe 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.. the Project has been registered under the United Nations Clean Development MechanismClean Development Mechanism is a Kyoto Protocol mechanism under which projects set up in developing countries to reduce GHGs generate tradeable credits called CERsCertified 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.. The credits can be used by industrialised nations to help meet their Kyoto reduction targets. Find out more here. since 2007.


    Price per tonne of CO2e
    [Q24]

    $20 per tonne. Negotiable for larger volumes.


    Quality

    Accreditation or certification achieved as at May 2010
    [Q33a]- Independently verified emission reductions VERsVerified Emission Reductions or Voluntary Emissions Reductions are tradable credits for greenhouse emission reduction activities generated to meet voluntary demand for carbon credits by organisations and individuals wanting to offset their own emissions. VERs can be generated from projects to which a range of circumstances might apply, including:
    - are either based in a country that has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol (e.g. USA) or does not have the infrastructure to support CDM project development;
    - have not yet been registered under the CDM;
    - fall outside the scope of the CDM;
    - are too small to warrant the costs of CDM approval;
    - are specifically developed for the voluntary market.
    Relevant third party verification (not accreditation / certification)
    [Q35]

    - Independently verified to CDMClean Development MechanismClean 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. is a 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. mechanism under which projects set up in developing countries to reduce GHGs generate tradeable credits called CERsCertified 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.. The credits can be used by industrialised nations to help meet their Kyoto reduction targets. Find out more here. Standard by Det Norske Veritas Certification Ltd (DNV)

    Are the verified emission reductions created from this project NCOS compliant abatement?
    [Q36]

    - No

    Is this project additional to Australia's commitments under Kyoto
    [Q37]- Yes

    Contact Details

    Contact Details

    For more information please contact:

    Carbon Reduction Institute
    www.noco2.com.au
    02 9439 9990
    Suite 13, 38-46 Albany Street ST Leonards NSW 2065
    Information Submitted by Carbon Reduction Institute in April 2010