EPA Victoria and Global Sustainability at RMIT have developed the following resources in response to queries about the carbon offset market.

If you have any comments or further questions, please contact us.

Glossary

A comprehensive list of terms to help you understand the jargon associated with carbon offsets and carbon tradingA term used to describe an ETS involving greenhouse gas emissions. . Last updated in September 2008.

Calculators

Links to Carbon Offset Calculators.

Recent media attention has focussed specifically on how various methods of calculating greenhouse gas emissions from flights can lead to different results. Click here to learn more about navigating issues associated with calculating emissions from your flights.

Transaction Model

A beginner’s step-by-step guide to purchasing carbon offsets and the issues involved, which is supplemented by the Offset Introduction and Frequently Asked Questions pages.

National Carbon Offset Standard

The National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) is intended to ensure that consumers have confidence in the voluntary carbon offset market and the integrity of the carbon offset and 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 they purchase. more info

The Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement attached to the UNFCCCThe 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. which sets targets for nations to reduce their 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. more info

Other Resources

Global Sustainability’s report Carbon Offset Providers in Australia 2007

EPA Victoria’s Tips for purchasing offsets 
Business Victoria's Melbourne Carbon Market Services Guide 2008