Carbon Neutral Event

Carbon Expo Australasia 2011 is committed to fully offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions it can’t avoid.  The ‘carbon footprint’ of Carbon Expo Australasia in 2008, 2009 & 2010 was assessed using best practice industry standards, and an abatement and offset strategy was implemented to ensure the event's ‘carbon neutrality’

carboNZero certification

Carbon Expo Australasia 2011 is working towards carboNZero certification, to once again confirm its commitment to understanding and reducing the environmental impacts of the event. This means it will measure, manage and offset the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the event and exhibition organisation and implementation. After the event, an independent audit will be performed to ensure the event has met the carboNZero programme requirements.

The carboNZero programme is the world’s leading Greenhouse Gas (GHG) certification programme, and the first to be accredited under ISO14065 through the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and NZ. It provides independent verification and certification to ISO 14064-1 and a range of domestic and international standards and schemes. The certification is more than a verified carbon footprint, it is also verification and certification of emissions management  and reduction commitments. It was developed by one of the world’s premier climate change research institutes.

CEMARS & carboNZero have provided tips for delegates & exhibitors to consider to help reduce the individual carbon footprint of attending and participating at Expo.  They are attached here.

Further information is available at www.carbonzero.com.au

The carbon footprint assessment for Carbon Expo Australasia 2011 is being prepared by Environmental Resources Management (ERM), a leading global provider of environmental, health and safety, risk, and social consulting services.  ERM will prepare the footprint assessment in accordance with CEMARS protocols, in order to gain CEMARS certification.

Offsets to achieve emissions neutrality for the 2011 event will be provided by Climate Friendly, Expo's Offsets Provider.  Climate Friendly is a pioneer in providing innovative carbon management solutions to businesses and individuals and consistently rates highly in local and international surveys for the quality of its carbon solutions.  Climate Friendly supplies only accredited renewable energy carbon credits that meet the highest international standards, such as the Voluntary Carbon Standard and the Gold Standard.

Details of how this is achieved in 2011 and the methodology adopted, will be provided to all delegates and exhibitors.

Previously - and again this year - Carbon Expo took an approach to boundary-setting for calculating the event's emissions footprint, that if offset, would provide the maximum benefit to future climate.  So rather than taking responsibility only for emissions associated with event administration and direct emissions associated with the venue and marketing of the conference, an approach was adopted where the event's carbon neutrality includes all emissions associated with the hosting and running of this event including delegate flights and travel, all hotel accommodation, considerations of food consumed while at the venue and in hotels, marketing and publicity, and administration.

In 2008, more than half of the event's total emission's footprint of 858 tonnes CO2-e was associated with delegate air travel, for which Expo organisers have taken responsibility, irrespective of whether individual delegates made their own offset arrangements.  Any 'doubling up' in offsets will be to the benefit of future climate.

Carbon Market Expo 2008 - Footprint Assessment