Net Zero Newsletter – Celebrating Our Climate Active Certification
Almost half of the year has passed, and there has been so much happening at 100% Renewables. May has been a highly productive month for us, and we can’t wait to share all the exciting updates with you. This edition is packed, so brace yourself because it’s quite a read. ?
Firstly, we’re thrilled to share the latest milestone in our sustainability journey: 100% Renewables has officially achieved Climate Active Carbon Neutral Certification! This showcases our?commitment to reducing our environmental impact and advancing sustainability practices within our organisation. ?
While this certification is recent, we've taken the proactive step of backdating our carbon neutral status to 2021. This highlights our ongoing dedication to environmental stewardship and ensures that our past efforts are recognised. We are proud of this achievement and look forward to continuing our journey towards greater sustainability. ?
Speaking of Climate Active certification, we’ve just released a new episode of Driving Profit with Net Zero emissions podcast, titled “Above and Beyond: BridgeClimb Sydney's Environmental Journey” . In this episode, we interviewed Deb Zimmer, BridgeClimb’s CEO, on their sustainability initiatives and their journey to achieving Climate Active Carbon Neutral Certification. Here’s a snippet from the episode:
Deb Zimmer, CEO of BridgeClimb Sydney, talks about their carbon neutral goals.
In other news, two weeks ago, I delivered a presentation about the recent changes on the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards and Climate Impact Reporting at the CitySwitch Champions Breakfast ?as part of the?Climate Action Week Sydney 2024 . This event, co-presented by CitySwitch and North Sydney Council , celebrates sustainability champions devoted to advancing eco-friendly supply chains and waste reduction efforts.
Speaking of the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards, we recently uploaded the final module to our Navigating the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) ?course. Since our last newsletter, we've updated the curriculum with the following new modules:
All 15 modules are now accessible on-demand through our course page. For those who haven’t yet registered, we urge you to take advantage of this opportunity while it remains free of charge. ?
Secure your spot today and ensure you have access to this invaluable resource. Enrol now! ?
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?? Duration: 1.5 hours of video content
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Hear from our participants:
This month, we feature a review from Deborah Stanley, Human Resource Manager at Dy-Mark who recently completed the course:
Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy
Recently, the Australian Government launched a new Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy aimed at reducing the environmental impact of government purchases. Aligned with recommendations from the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group’s Interim Report, the policy will leverage government procurement power to stimulate circular markets, reduce waste, and promote longer material usage within the economy.
This initiative follows suggestions outlined in the CEMAG Interim Report, emphasising the importance of circular economy solutions in waste reduction, pollution mitigation, and carbon emission reduction. Furthermore, the report explores avenues for enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities through reuse, repair, and recycling methods. Stay tuned for further developments as CEMAG continues engaging with various sectors and consolidates its recommendations into a final report by the end of 2024. Access the full CEMAG report here.?
Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) for carbon credit purchases
In other news, the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) is conducting integrity reviews of major carbon project categories, including renewable, nature-based, and cookstove projects. These reviews are set to be completed by the end of 2024. The aim is to identify high-quality carbon credits that meet the stringent requirements of Core Carbon Principles (CCP). The CCPs are a set of standards designed to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of carbon credits, focusing on the credibility of carbon emission reductions and the overall benefit sharing with local communities involved in these projects.
Currently, the ICVCM, with the assistance of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), is updating these principles to better align with market needs and quality benchmarks. This update process includes providing CCP labels to carbon crediting programs that meet specific quality and integrity standards. This is critical for market participants as it offers clearer guidance on which carbon credits are considered high integrity, helping companies make more informed choices.
For managers tasked with sustainability, understanding the evolving landscape of the CCPs is crucial. These principles directly affect the selection of carbon credits and strategies for emissions mitigation within your sustainability programs. The refinement of these standards means that some existing methodologies may no longer be viable, while others could be fast-tracked due to their robustness in terms of additionality and transparency. This transition could influence your current and future investments in carbon credits, emphasising the need to stay informed about CCP updates to align your decarbonisation efforts with the highest standards of environmental integrity.
Upcoming speaking engagement
???Date:?Tuesday, 04 June 2024
???Time:??08:45 AM - 04:00 PM
??Cost:?FREE
Grant opportunities
Are you in search for grant opportunities to support your sustainability initiatives? Here are some grant applications to look out for: ?
Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant (MEEG) - Attention to all Queensland manufacturers! The Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant (MEEG) program by The Queensland Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing, and Water (RDMW) is nearing its application deadline on June 30, 2024.
The MEEG program is allocating $7.1 million to support energy efficiency initiatives within the state's manufacturing sector. It offers direct assistance to manufacturing businesses keen on reducing energy usage and costs. Eligible manufacturers can access matched grant funding ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, which can be directed towards investments in state-of-the-art equipment or processes aimed at reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.
100% Renewables has been chosen as the technical evaluator for MEEG grant applications. While direct assistance isn't provided, we strongly encourage eligible companies to seize this opportunity. Act fast – you have only 1 month left before the application closes on June 30, 2024. For further details and to apply, visit this link. ?
Community Energy Upgrades Fund Program (CEUF) Round 2 Application - Get ready as the Community Energy Upgrades Fund Program (CEUF) Round 2 application is set to open in January 2025. This targeted and competitive grant program provides co-funding for energy upgrades at existing local government facilities. You can read more about the program here.
For those seeking assistance with their application, 100% Renewables has a proven track record of guiding numerous councils through the application process during round 1. If you’re ready to discuss your application, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to support you every step of the way.
More updates at 100% Renewables
Low Carbon Procurement Training Program
Now that our Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) course has concluded, we’re gearing up for our next course on low carbon procurement. As we prepare for this upcoming training, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who have already participated in our survey.
If you haven’t had the chance yet, we encourage you to take just 2 minutes to share your preferences for the low carbon procurement training. Your feedback is essential in customising this training to meet your needs, ensuring a personalised learning experience for all participants. As a token of our appreciation, survey respondents will receive an exclusive 50% discount voucher for the finalised training program. Slots are limited, and we have only a few left, so don’t miss this opportunity!
Webinar on net zero commitments by Australian states, local governments and communities 2024
Another thing to look out for is our upcoming webinar highlighting Net Zero commitments from Australian states, local governments, and communities. Since 2014, we at 100% Renewables have been diligently tracking the ambitious carbon reduction, net-zero, and renewable energy commitments made by Australian authorities and communities.
Stay tuned for more details about the training program and webinar. For the latest updates, connect with me on LinkedIn . We look forward to sharing more exciting announcements with you soon!
New podcast episode
In Episode 20 of "Driving Profit with Net Zero Emissions," Deb Zimmer, CEO of BridgeClimb Sydney, shares the inspiring story of their journey towards carbon neutrality. Discover the strategic initiatives, challenges, and educational efforts that have positioned BridgeClimb Sydney as a leader in sustainable tourism…
New blog posts
This article walks you through mastering scenario analysis for climate-related uncertainties. Learn how to tailor your analysis, integrate it into strategic planning, and boost your resilience in a low-carbon economy… ?
Dive into the essentials of crafting transition plans for ASRS compliance, ensuring your business is ready for the sustainability journey ahead. Learn more about aligning with a 1.5°C pathway and seizing opportunities in the net-zero economy…
Learn how to set effective metrics and climate targets in line with ASRS compliance. This article discusses why these are crucial beyond regulatory compliance and how they drive competitive advantage. Gain insights into ASRS requirements, steps for setting metrics and targets, and integrating them into your business strategy… ?
Get a comprehensive overview of mandatory disclosures, director liabilities, and legal frameworks shaping ASRS compliance. Discover how integrating voluntary frameworks like GRI, SDGs, and initiatives such as SBTi and Climate Active can elevate your sustainability strategy…
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PV Researcher (Australian Renewable Energy Agency project)
5 个月Woojin Cheong FYI