Low Carbon Group Carbon Tips
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Offset emissions with Carbon creditsOffsetting emissions is a process whereby an organisation purchases carbon credits to neutralise its global warming impact. Each carbon credit represents the abatement or sequestration of one tonne of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases - or carbon emissions - from our atmosphere.At the Carbon Reduction Institute, we currently offer carbon credits from the South Metropolitan Regional Council’s (SMRC) Landfill Diversion Programme. These credits are Greenhouse Friendly™ certified. We can also provide carbon credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. We are furthermore able to create carbon credits under the NSW Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme (GGAS). We surrender these carbon credits to businesses and individuals who wish to reduce their carbon footprint.  Different Carbon Offset Types Explained:Energy Efficiency InstallationsEnergy Efficiency Installations reduce total energy consumption which, in turn, reduces the amount of fossil fuels (and thus CO2) burnt in generating power. We create carbon credits from implementing such energy efficiency installations.Swapping an incandescent bulb for a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) is a well known example. A CFL uses up to 80% less electricity than a conventional bulb, which translates into energy and carbon emission reductions. When you buy a carbon offset or carbon credits generated by energy efficiency projects, you are funding projects which reduce energy consumption and the CO2 emissions resulting from energy use. The carbon credits we create through these projects are accredited under the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme. Below is an example of how energy efficiency can reduce CO2 emissions through light bulb replacement:
*Based on an electricity price of 14 cents per kilowatt hour **Based on electricity supply in NSW Back to top
Renewable Energy SystemsRenewable energy systems convert the earth’s natural energy sources (such as sunlight, wind, water and the energy stored in wood/plant matter) into electricity or mechanical energy with zero net CO2 emissions.By replacing energy generated by burning fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy systems, we can drastically reduce carbon or CO2 emissions. When you buy carbon credits generated by renewable energy projects, you are funding projects that reduce our dependency on CO2 heavy fossil fuels like coal and oil. The carbon credits which we create through these projects are registered through the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator. We also broker carbon credits generated from Gold Standard renewable energy projects. The Gold Standard is a premium carbon offset standard, created by non-government groups like the WWF and Greenpeace. These carbon credits not only remove one tonne of CO2 from the atmosphere each; they also bring about employment and social benefits for communities in the developing world. Back to top
Tree Plantation ProjectsTree plantation projects sequester CO2 through photosynthesis; thus allowing for the creation of carbon credits. Thus you can also fund the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere if you purchase carbon offset from tree plantation projects. We work together with the Western Australia based organisation Men of the Trees which plants trees on behalf of our certified businesses.We are not opposed to companies and individuals who choose tree plantation projects over renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. However, we would like to see an increase in the business uptake of carbon offsets which are permanent and bring an immediate effect. The carbon credits we provide are tested for both, their immediate effect and permanence. Back to top
Methane Combustion, Containment and Abatement Carbon credits can also be created through the combustion, abatement or containment of methane gas generated by farm animals, landfill, or other industrial waste. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) 21 times that of CO2. When combusted, each molecule of methane is converted to one molecule of CO2, thus reducing the global warming effect by 96%. Methane can also be processed using an anaerobic digester which generates electricity or heat.An example for a methane abatement project is the South Metropolitan Regional Council’s (SMRC) Landfill Diversion Programme. The SMRC’s waste processing facility diverts from landfill the household rubbish of more than 350,000 residents. When the disposal of organic matter to landfill is avoided by composting, methane emissions are abated, as the waste is broken down in the presence of oxygen. This reduces the amount of methane produced. Back to top |
Carbon offsetting
 
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