• 
• Carbopedia
• Australia's Climate Change Approach
• The NGER Reporting Act

National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS)

The Australian National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) was announced on 20 January 2010 and came into effect on 1 July 2010. It is administered by Low Carbon Australia Limited (formerly The Australian Carbon Trust) under license from the Australian Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. The NCOS guides consumers and businesses regarding the integrity of voluntary carbon offsetting and provides a clear standard for becoming carbon neutral.

All offsets bought from Carbon Planet's shop comply with the NCOS.

Why do businesses need a National Carbon Offset Standard?

Under the Kyoto Protocol, Australia will soon report on nationwide emission reductions to meet targets. Due to the possibility of double counting, the Australian Government has put in place guidelines to help separate emission reductions that are made by Australia under Kyoto and those made by businesses and individuals that represent reductions over and above the formal commitments.

What types of offsets are eligible under the NCOS?

Eligible

• Australian Emissions Units (AEUs)
• Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs) under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
• Voluntary Emissions Reductions (VERs) issued by the Gold Standard
• Voluntary Carbon Units (VCUs) issued by the Voluntary Carbon Standard including credits issued for agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) and reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) projects*
• Australian generated offsets, which are not counted toward the Kyoto Protocol target.**

Ineligible

In general, these include offsets that would have been covered by the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS):

• GreenPower*** and other renewable energy purchases (such as Renewable Energy Certificates)
• The Greenhouse Friendly scheme
• NSW GGAS scheme from which NGACs originate.

Becoming Carbon Neutral

Best practice in achieving carbon neutrality (as stated by the NCOS) is to:

1. Measure emissions through the calculation of a carbon footprint
2. Reduce all emissions where possible
3. Offset total residual emissions.

However, an organisation, or product, can be certified as carbon neutral by calculating its carbon footprint, undertaking an independent audit and then purchasing (and retiring), sufficient eligible carbon credits to offset its emissions.

The carbon footprint calculation would need to be based on the existing National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) methodology, with the extra inclusion of selected Scope 3 (indirect) emissions. For products, the NCOS will require a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The NCOS also requires the preparation of an emissions management plan.

Entities that complete an audited carbon footprint calculation (see G3MS) and develop an emissions management plan can apply to use the NCOS carbon neutral logo. Organisations wanting to use the logo must make information publicly available about their carbon footprint, their emissions reduction activities, and the offsets they have bought.

For more information on the NCOS, please contact Carbon Planet.