Carbon Management

Carbon Management Principles

Climate change is increasingly becoming an issue of critical importance to business. Many companies are seeking to manage their exposure to climate risks and realise the growing opportunities through developing a strategic carbon management strategy. In addressing climate change it is often difficult to decide how to prioritise actions and to assess which approaches provide the best environmental and financial outcomes.

EPA has developed Carbon Management Principles (the Principles) to provide a step-by-step framework that organisations can use to drive good environmental and business outcomes. The Principles reflect a continuous improvement model. Regular review is essential to ensure you make the most of new practices and technologies as they emerge over time. We encourage you to use the Principles in your own carbon management decisions, assess their value, and work with us to improve them.

Find out more about the benefits of using the Principles.

For more information go to EPA’s Carbon Management Principles Discussion Paper (Adobe PDF file, 520KB).

Resources for managing your carbon
EPA has developed a list of useful resources to help business address each step of the Carbon Management Principles when developing and implementing their carbon management strategy. Click on any step in the flow chart below to jump to that section on the Carbon Management Principles resources page.

click on a step in the diagram for a list of resources

We are working with business to continuously improve the resources provided. As this area is constantly evolving we welcome any feedback to help keep the information accurate, up to date and relevant for business. Please send any feedback, questions or suggestions to carbon.innovators@epa.vic.gov.au.

Measure - What are you emitting?
You can't manage what you can't measure. Calculate your direct and indirect GHG emissions.
Resources

Set objectives - What do you want to achieve?
Does your company want to set GHG emissions and/or energy reduction targets? Is the goal to be carbon neutral?
Resources

Avoid - Can you avoid generating emissions?
You may be using energy or emitting GHGs unnecessarily. Look for opportunities to turn off equipment when it is not in use. Consider walking instead of driving, and video conferencing rather than traveling to meetings.
Resources

Reduce (Modify-Recover) - Can you change your activities to reduce emissions?
Your approach to emissions reduction will depend on your circumstances.

Modify processes or equipment to ensure they run efficiently. When buying new equipment look for high efficiency ratings. Recover energy or GHG emissions from a pre-existing process. For example, reuse heat for cogeneration or capture methane from landfills.
Resources

Switch (Renew-Exchange) - Can you switch energy sources so they are less greenhouse intensive?
As well as opportunities to reduce your energy use, there are also opportunities to ensure that the primary fuel source you are using is being delivered in the most GHG efficient way. This can be delivered through renewable sources, or by exchanging fossil fuel sources to lower GHG intensity fuels.
Resources

Sequester - What options are available to sequester emissions?
You may be able to sequester your GHG emissions. Technology is being developed to artificially capture and contain GHGs from major power stations and similar facilities. Another option is natural sequestration such as establishing onsite biological sinks through afforestation.
Resources

Assess - What are your residual GHG emissions?
Assess if you are meeting your targets.
Resources

Offset - Can you offset your residual GHG emissions?
Carbon offsets can provide a legitimate means of lowering your residual GHG impact, and are an important final component to becoming carbon neutral. Offsets should meet accreditation requirements.  Before purchasing carbon offsets, it is important to conduct appropriate research to ensure that products have been appropriately verified as delivering the environmental outcomes claimed.
Resources

More information
For more help with carbon management, EPA Victoria has established the Carbon Innovators Network. 

Find out about how EPA went carbon neutral (Adobe PDF file, 307KB).

Top