CarboNZero programme
The carboNZero programme is the world’s first internationally accredited greenhouse gas (GHG) certification scheme under ISO 14065. They provide tools for individuals, organisations and events to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (otherwise known as carbon footprint).
The programme has two certification offerings;
- CEMARS (Certified Emissions Management And Reduction Scheme) certification is for organisations, products and services to make a measurement and reduction claim. Clients get to use a specific CEMARS certification logo.
- carboNZero certification is for organisations and companies to make a carbon neutrality claim. Clients get to use a specific carboNZero certification logo.
Both certifications require participants to follow the below key steps (CEMARS certification does not require offsetting):
- Measure - to establish a carbon footprint or GHG emissions inventory
- Manage - to reduce GHG emissions
- Mitigate - to neutralise remaining unavoidable emissions by purchasing high quality and verified carbon credits
- Verify - to independently verify your market claims
- Market - to report or disclose achievements in reducing GHG emissions
The carboNZero programme website also has simple calculators for Households, Travel, Schools and Small Businesses to calculate their carbon footprint.
History
The carboNZero programme was created as part of a project called EBEX21 or Emissions Biodiversity Exchange in the 21st century.[1] EBEX21 was established to assist landowners to retire or set aside marginally productive land and allow it to regenerate to create new areas of native forest. In order to compensate the landowners for lost production, EBEX21 applies strict rules based on the Kyoto Protocol to allocate voluntary carbon credits that are pooled and sold through the carboNZero programme.
Early participants in the programme include Adventure South, TIANZ (the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand), Toyota NZ, Attitude Foods and South Pacific Picture's drama series Shortland Street. The New Zealand Wine Company produced the first carbon neutral certified wine in the world for its Grove Mill and Sanctuary labels through the carboNZero certification programme. Companies that have achieved CEMARS or carboNZero certification include Westpac New Zealand, Scottish Parliament, South West Water, BMW New Zealand, Auckland Museum, Meridian Energy, Bridgestone New Zealand, The New Zealand Wine Company.
The programme has since become its own separate legal entity, though still fully owned by Landcare Research. The programme now operates in the United Kingdom, Australia, Chile, United Arab Emirates as well as New Zealand.
See also
References
- ↑ "EBEX21 - carbon farming made easy". Landcare Research.