Glossary

The climate change and carbon emissions market is still an emerging area, it has it's own terms and acronyms  that can sometimes be confusing. Here's a reference guide to help you navigate your way through the language:

Carbon Footprint

A company’s carbon footprint is the ‘measure of impact’ the company has on the environment through its CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere.

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement created under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Kyoto, Japan in 1997. The Kyoto Protocol aims to reduce the collective greenhouse gas emissions of developed country Parties by at least 5 per cent below 1990 levels during 2008 to 2012. On 3 December 2007 Kevin Rudd signed the ‘instrument of ratification’ of the Kyoto Protocol; Australia's ratification came into effect on 11 March 2008.

GHG - Greenhouse Gases

Under the Kyoto Protocol, there are six major Greenhouse gases (known as Kyoto Gases) which much be measured and monitored by each ratified country. These gases include CO2, CH4, N2O, S6F, PFC & HFC; each greenhouse has molecule has a unique potency, known as a Global warming potential.

CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility has emerged as an essential element of a balanced and transparent organization. CSR encompasses issues such as environment and sustainability, company ethics and local community, which gives an organization the opportunity to illustrate its additional benefits to the stakeholders and wider community.

CO2-e - Carbon Dioxide Equivalence

A generic, average value which puts all greenhouse gases onto one common platform. CO2-e represents the overall greenhouse gas emission related to the 6 Kyoto Gases on one common platform.

Scope 1, 2 and 3 Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are classified by the Kyoto protocol under three scopes. Scope 1 are direct emission produced ‘onsite’ by an organization or facility (for example stationary natural gas usage), scope 2 are indirect emission produced offsite but utilized by an organization or facility (foe example Electricity consumption). Scope 3 emissions are further indirect emissions which encompass further emission sources such as business travel, waste, contractor activities.

GWP - Global Warming Potential

The six Kyoto Gases each have unique potencies – whilst carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas, it is the least potent greenhouse gas molecule. For example Methane (CH4) has a global warming potential 23 times that of CO2 (hence flaring methane is recognized as an effective abatement activity – breaking down the CH4 into CO2).

Australian specific terms

CPRS - Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme

The backbone of the Government's plan to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions is the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). This is an emissions trading scheme (ETS) which will use a cap and trade mechanism. The cap is an upper limit on the country’s carbon pollution and the ability to trade ensures that pollution reduction opportunities throughout the economy are achieved. The objective of the CPRS is to reduce the economic cost of meeting our ambitious carbon pollution reduction targets.

DCC - Department of Climate Change

The DCC's role is to lead the development and coordination of Australia's climate change policies. Headed by Senator Penny Wong, the department is responsible for policy advice, implementation and programs in three specific areas, these focus areas include: Mitigation (through reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions), adaptation to the unavoidable impacts of climate change and helping to shape a global solution.

EEO - Energy Efficiencies Opportunities Program

An Australian program that begun in 2006 and encourages large energy-using businesses to improve their energy efficiency. The EEO identifies, evaluates and reports publicly on cost effective energy savings opportunities.

GCP - Greenhouse Challenge Plus Program

The Greenhouse Challenge Plus began in 1995 and ceased on 1 July 2009. The GCP was a joint voluntary initiative between the Australian Government and industry with an objective to encourage abatement, improve greenhouse gas management, improve emissions measurement and monitoring and strengthen government/industry information sharing.

More than 700 organizations participated in the Greenhouse Challenge Plus.

GEDO - Greenhouse and Energy Data Officer

The Greenhouse and Energy Data Officer is responsible for managing compliance and enforcement under NGER legislation.

NGA - National Greenhouse Accounts

Administered by The Department of Climate Change, Australia publishes comprehensive reports on our greenhouse gas emissions in the National Greenhouse Accounts. The NGA standards workbook provides a comprehensive coverage of emission factors specifics to Australian operations.

NGER - National Greenhouse Energy Reporting (Act)

This Act was introduced in 2007 and administered by the Department of Climate Change. Under the NGER Act, any corporation that is a controlling corporation and meets a corporate reporting threshold must apply to register and report energy consumption, energy production and greenhouse gas emissions. The first reporting year encompassed the 2008/2009 fiscal year, with corporation thresholds declining over second and third reporting years.

GF - Greenhouse Friendly

The Greenhouse Friendly (GF) initiative has been in operation since 2001 and is administered by the Department of Climate Change. The GF scheme certifies carbon neutral products and services and approves abatement credits for sale on the voluntary market. GF is a leading accreditation brand in the Australian voluntary offset market.

International terms

IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading body for the assessment of climate change. The IPPC provides the world with a non-bias scientific view on the current state of climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic consequences

UNFCCC - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The UNFCCC provides the basis for global action "to protect the climate system for present and future generations". The UNFCCC was adopted in May 1992 and opened for signatures a month later at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Australia ratified the Convention in December 1992. There are now 193 Parties to the UNFCCC - almost all of the members of the United Nations.

GHG Protocol: Greenhouse Gas Protocol

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions