Ecofund Queensland
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Return to Summary of all ProvidersPrimary activity : Project developerThe Project Developer is the person or organisation that establishes a project, by designing, registering, implementing and monitoring the project for the purposes of creating and selling carbon offsets or other environmental credits and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. , RetailerCarbon offset retailers either fund or purchase carbon offsets in large quantities and then on sell them to individual consumers in smaller quantities. , BrokerA broker is an intermediary, who buys and sells carbon offsets on behalf of clients. Price (per tonne CO2e) : AU$0 - AU$50+
Summary
Ecofund Queensland's view on the role of carbon offsets in addressing climate change"Ecofund views carbon offsets as a mechanism to create education, awareness and investment in low-carbon projects that balance greenhouse gas emissions and create additional environmental benefits (such as habitat for biodiversity) to help tackle climate change.
At Ecofund we offer an advisory and transaction service that specialises in explaining what the carbon, renewable energy and environmental offset markets can mean for you. "Detailed InformationClick on the tabs below for more information:
Summary
Role in the Carbon Offset Market[Q1]Project developer, Retailer, BrokerMain client base[Q3]Government clients, businesses, other organisations and individualsBroker
Broker Information
Types of transactions in carbon credits offered[Q23b]- Spot tradesThe purchase or sale of abatement (e.g. carbon offsets) for immediate delivery. Spot trades are settled "on the spot" (usually within one or two business days), as opposed to at a set date in the future. Futures transactions that expire in the current month are also considered spot trades. Spot trades are also known as "cash trades". Spot trades are the opposite of forward contracts.
- ForwardsThe buyer invests the money upfront but does not get the credits until they are actually produced. These are long-term commitments that are predominantly done on a large scale. (Over The Counter)
- Purchase for surrenderCarbon offsets are purchased and retired from the market by the offset provider.Standard brokerage fees determined by[Q24]- We have a minimum brokerage fee for our services
- Our brokerage fees vary and are based on volumeIndicative pricing[Q25]Information not providedHow is the retirement of abatement verified to your client?[Q27]- Registry transaction screenshot view (For example, by email)
- Evidence of registry transaction (For example, personalised account, physical copy of transaction etc.)
- Tax Receipt
- Certificate (with individualised Serial Number/s of abatementA reduction in the amount or intensity of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of actions taken by a company or individual. to cross check at a later date)
- Certificate (with amount of abatementA reduction in the amount or intensity of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of actions taken by a company or individual. purchased)Independent certification and/or third party documentation to prove the validity of all the different offsets that you provide available[Q28]- On requestOffset Products
Offset Products
Price(s) per tonne[Q17]AU$0 - AU$50+
[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]Yes - Australian Financial Services Licence Number: 388086How 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
- Ecofund manages a program called Reverse the Effect which allows Queensland motorists to calculate their average vehicle emissions and make a tax-deductable donation towards native tree planting projects that help expand Queensland's protected areas. See www.reversetheeffect.com.auDo you provide quality assurance or technical documentation on your web site or on request?[Q16]On request
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.
Audited: AnnuallyDoes 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
- Certificate of Retirement/Acquittal
- Certificate of Transfer/Ownership
- 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 InvoiceWhat 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 AuditorsMinimum tonnage required per transaction?[Q23]- None
[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, personalised assessmentCarbon 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.'
- National Carbon Offset StandardThe 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 (NCOS)
- National Carbon Accounting Toolkit (NCATThe National Carbon Accounting Toolbox provides the tools for tracking greenhouse gas emissions and carbon stock changes from land use and management. )Do you apply National Greenhouse Accounts Factors full fuel cycle emissions conversion factors to calculate customer emissions?[Q14]- YesIn 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
- 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
- Philanthropic corporate partnerships, as well as individual fund raising towards the expansion of national parks
- Creating habitat and native forest carbon projects, capturing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing biodiversity outcomes.
[Find out more about carbon offsetting]Projects
Project Information
No Project Information has been provided Contact Details
Contact Details
For more information please contact:
Ecofund Queensland
www.ecofund.net.au
07 30176460
Level 3, 120 Edward Street Brisbane QLD 4000Information Submitted by Ecofund Queensland in October 2011




