"It is imperative that Australia as a nation takes immediate action to start reducing our GHGGreenhouse 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.). emissions. This must be treated as a matter of urgency. The evolving voluntary carbon 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. market is a way for people and businesses to become engaged and start taking responsibility for all their energy usage.
Greenbank Environmental Pty Ltd is a significant & independent traderCarbon offset traders purchase carbon offsets in bulk from project developers with the plan to sell the offsets to consumers in smaller quantities at a higher price. 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 LGCsLGCs are Large Scale Generation Certificates issued under the Large Scale Renewable Energy Target by the Australian Government's Office of Renewable Energy Regulator. They are equivalent to one-megawatt hour of renewable electricity. LGCs can be bought and sold both by electricity retailers and by other businesses in order to meet the legal requirements of LRET. or STCsSTCs are Small Scale Technology Certificates issued under the Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme by the Australian Government's Office of Renewable Energy Regulator. They are equivalent to one-megawatt hour of renewable electricity. STCs can be bought and sold both by electricity retailers and by other businesses in order to meet the legal requirements of SRES. . in Australia. We process and aggregate RECs and other environmental products (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. ). We need to be mindful of double countingDouble counting can happen when two or more businesses claim the same emissions reductionA measurable reduction in the level of greenhouse gases being emitted by a country, state, organisation or individual. . This can happen if an offset is sold to two or more entities, or when an entity upstream of the project unknowingly claims the reduction as its own. The establishment of protocols, and the use of an offsets registry can ensure offsets are adequately accounted for. under the renewable energy target and these environmental products must add "additionality" to the any targets."