General Information

Own Project | Rewards Group Ltd (Manager) is offering a carbon plantation product called the First Australia Carbon Forestry Ltd (Fund). The carbon plantations developed by the Fund will be located in the medium rainfall region of southwest Western Australia (Wheat belt).
Each unit/interest in the Fund will equate to one hectare of carbon plantation forest and will sequesterThe uptake and storage of carbon from the atmosphere. For example trees and other plants sequester 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. from the atmosphere as they grow, through the process of photosynthesis. 480 tonnes of CO2-eCarbon dioxide equivalentCarbon dioxide equivalent. In order to compare emissions between the six Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gases they have been assigned a global warming potential (GWP) measured in carbon dioxide equivalents to reflect their influence on warming the atmosphere. GWP is a relative scale, where CO2 = 1. The other gases are given a number based on their effect on the atmosphere relative to CO2. For example, methane has a GWP of 21, meaning it has 21 times the amount of heating capacity of CO2.. In order to compare emissions between the six 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. greenhouse gasesGreenhouse 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). they have been assigned a 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. (GWP) measured in carbon dioxide equivalents to reflect their influence on warming the atmosphere. GWP is a relative scale, where CO2 = 1. The other gases are given a number based on their effect on the atmosphere relative to CO2. For example, methaneMethane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas with a GWP of 21. has a GWP of 21, meaning it has 21 times the amount of heating capacity of CO2. per hectare on average over a 40 year period at the average sequestration rate of 12 tonnes of CO2-e per year. The manufacture of certified carbon abatementA reduction in the amount or intensity of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of actions taken by a company or individual. will be at cost and the Fund will generate valuable bankable or tradeable certified carbon abatement for Fund unit holders.
The Fund will only acquire Kyoto compliant, cleared freehold land to establish the carbon forests. The carbon sink owned by the Fund will remain in perpetuity. The plantation will not be harvested for timber or other products. Its sole purpose will be to sequester CO2 and generate certified carbon abatement.
Sequestration rates will be achieved by establishing and growing appropriately selected fast growing native tree species. The type of species, species mix and planting rate per hectare has been determined by the Manager upon the advice of MWH Global – the Carbon Yield Expert.
The Fund methodology has Greenhouse FriendlyTM Accreditation issued by the Australian Greenhouse OfficeThe Australian Greenhouse Office has now been incorporated into the Department of Climate Change. at the Department of Climate Change on 22 January 2009. The Fund’s plantation estate will be managed to the Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC) accreditation standard, the highest form of global accreditation for plantation forestry management.

Quality

- Greenhouse FriendlyGreenhouse Friendly 'The Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative has been operating since 2001 to certify 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 and services and approve abatementA reduction in the amount or intensity of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of actions taken by a company or individual. credits for sale on the voluntary market, including to Greenhouse Friendly™ certified product and service providers. Introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction SchemeAustralia's cap and trade scheme which will come in to effect in 2010. The CPRS will place a limit, or cap, on the amount of carbon pollution industry can emit and allow trading of carbon credits. It will concentrate on the biggest polluters, by placing obligations on around 1000 Australian companies in total. However it will effect all Australians through indirect price increases. (the Scheme) has implications for Greenhouse Friendly™. The Scheme will have broad sectoral coverage, which means there will be less scope to pursue offset activities with offsets limited to emissions sources uncovered by the Scheme. This means the Scheme will impact on the types of abatement that can be provided, because abatement in sectors covered by the Scheme will no longer be additional to “business as usual”. For these reasons Greenhouse Friendly™ will wind up on 1 July 2010. Greenhouse Friendly™ certification of carbon neutral products and services will continue to operate until 1 July 2010. Applications for new abatement projects have closed. Abatement may be generated by current Greenhouse Friendly™ abatement providers up to 1 July 2010, and may still be sold and purchased after that date. Approved AbatementA reduction in the amount or intensity of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of actions taken by a company or individual. Provider status (methodology only). Abatement to be verified.

- No