ACX Argyle

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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$0 - AU$50

    Summary

    ACX Argyle's view on the role of carbon offsets in addressing climate change

    "Carbon offsets provide capital for investment in carbon abatementA reduction in the amount or intensity of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of actions taken by a company or individual. solutions and to provide a price signal / penalty / cost for CO2A 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 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. is the principal anthropogenic greenhouse gas that affects the earth’s temperature. emissions.

    ACX argyle advocates the need to sustainably reduce energy and resource consumption at the same time as purchasing offset products. Carbon offsets and the purchase of renewable energy fit within the organisation's recommended hierarchy of carbon management, which ACX argyle promotes to all clients."


    Detailed InformationClick on the tabs below for more information:

    Summary

    Role in the Carbon Offset Market
    [Q1]Retailer
    Main client base
    [Q3]Government, Corporate

    Offset Products

    Offset Products

    Price(s) per tonne
    [Q17]AU$0 - AU$50
    Project Type(s)
    [Q32] - Hydroelectric (small scale)
    Project Location(s)
    [Q33]- International

    [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 ACX Argyle
    [Q38]- Verified Carbon StandardThe VCS Program includes the standard (VCS 2007) and the Program Guidelines 2007. The VCS Program provides a global standard and criteria for validating, measuring, and monitoring voluntary carbon offset projects. For more information, see here. VCUs
    How does your organisation calculate the amount and price of carbon offset required by customers?
    [Q10]- Personal contact from clients with specific needs for type of offsetA carbon offset is an investment in a project or activity that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or sequesters carbon from the atmosphere that is used to compensate for GHG emissions from your own activities. For more information see here. and tonnage
    - Personal contact from customers wanting the service of carbon footprinting and (generic) offsetA carbon offset is an investment in a project or activity that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or sequesters carbon from the atmosphere that is used to compensate for GHG emissions from your own activities. For more information see here. purchase to achieve carbon neutrality
    Do you provide quality assurance or technical documentation on your web site or on request?
    [Q16]

    Upon request depending on the documentation required.

    Is your organisation audited by an independent third party for the sale and retirement of offsets and / or RECs?
    [Q16b] Retirement of RECSRenewable Energy Certificates in Australia were previously issued by the Australian Government's Office of Renewable Energy Regulator prior to 1 January 2011. They were equivalent to one-megawatt hour of renewable electricity. As from 1 January 2011 certificates issued under the Renewable Energy Target are issued as LGCs or STCs.
    Retirement of offsets
    Audited: Annually
    Does your organisation supply National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) or NCOS compliant abatement to customers from 1st July 2010?
    [Q18] Yes, NCOSThe Commonwealth Government’s National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) came into effect on 1 July 2010 coinciding with the cessation of the Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ program. It is intended to ensure that consumers have confidence in the voluntary carbon offset market and the integrity of the carbon offset and carbon neutral products they purchase. It provides guidance to businesses who wish to make their organisation carbon neutral or develop carbon neutral products in a way that achieves emissions reductions, through the purchase and cancellation of eligible carbon offsets. More Information eligible offsetA carbon offset is an investment in a project or activity that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or sequesters carbon from the atmosphere that is used to compensate for GHG emissions from your own activities. For more information see here. units
    [Q19]
    What evidence of purchase can customers expect to receive when buying carbon offsets from your organisation?
    - Certificate for amount of offsetA carbon offset is an investment in a project or activity that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or sequesters carbon from the atmosphere that is used to compensate for GHG emissions from your own activities. For more information see here. purchased
    - Independent certification and / or third party documentation in relation to the project
    - Certificate of Retirement/Acquittal
    - Serial numbers to identify offsetA carbon offset is an investment in a project or activity that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or sequesters carbon from the atmosphere that is used to compensate for GHG emissions from your own activities. For more information see here. units 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]- Project Design DocumentA Project Design Document is the official application drawn up by an entity applying for project approval under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). PDDs must be validated by an independent third party, then approved and registered by the CDM Executive Board before a project qualifies as a CER carbon credit earner. as defined under Kyoto
    - Validation Report – From the Relevant Standard
    - Certification Report – From the Auditors
    - Information not supplied


    [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.'
    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
    - 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
    - Measuring and reporting services for carbon abatementA reduction in the amount or intensity of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of actions taken by a company or individual. projects
    - Energy monitoring see www.carbontracker.com.au
    - Energy efficiencyEnergy efficiency improvements refer to a reduction in the energy used for a given service (heating, lighting, etc.) or level of activity. Such savings are generally achieved by substituting technologically more advanced equipment to produce the same level of end-use services (e.g. lighting, heating, motor drive) with less electricity. consulting
    - Carbon Footprinting
    - Sustainable design and planning
    - 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). framework and accounting design
    - Economic modelling for abatementA reduction in the amount or intensity of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of actions taken by a company or individual. projects

    [Find out more about carbon offsetting]

    Projects

    Project Information

    Baishun Run of River minihydro | International International Hydroelectric (small scale) Verified Carbon Standard VCUs

    General Information

    This project is not owned by ACX Argyle | Small scale hydro project in China
    Price per tonne of CO2e
    [Q30]

    $18

    Project Type(s)
    [Q32] - Hydroelectric (small scale)

    Quality

    Accreditation or certification achieved as at August 2011
    [Q38]- Verified Carbon StandardThe VCS Program includes the standard (VCS 2007) and the Program Guidelines 2007. The VCS Program provides a global standard and criteria for validating, measuring, and monitoring voluntary carbon offset projects. For more information, see here. VCUs

    Contact Details

    Contact Details

    For more information please contact:

    ACX Argyle
    http://co2ex.com.au
    (03) 9805 0728
    2 Domville Ave. Hawthorn 3122
    Information Submitted by ACX Argyle in October 2011