Net Zero Newsletter – Launch of our ASRS Mini-Course

At 100% Renewables, we understand the important role that transparent and accountable reporting plays in advancing environmental and social responsibility. Recognising the challenges in climate-related reporting, we are committed to offering clear and practical guidance on the incoming mandatory climate legislation ASRS.

We are pleased to introduce our latest FREE initiative: a multi-part video series on the draft Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards – Disclosure of Climate-related Financial Information (ASRS). Our goal is to empower businesses of all sizes to adopt sustainable practices that have a meaningful impact. Each video is thoughtfully crafted to be concise, with a duration of no more than 5 minutes.

The first three instalments of the series have been released alongside complementary blog posts, which you can access here for FREE:

·?????? Part 1: The dawn of ASRS: How it will revolutionise climate impact reporting in Australia

·?????? Part 2: Beyond compliance: The power of mandatory and voluntary sustainability reporting

·?????? Part 3: The evolution of sustainability reporting

Join us on this educational journey as we unpack the ASRS and explore how you can leverage these standards to enhance your climate action efforts and contribute to a greener, more resilient future.

Stay tuned for our upcoming release! If you would like to be notified as soon as our next video is available, simply register here.

Spread the word

The reach and impact of the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) extends beyond individual businesses and into the broader community. Here is how you can help disseminate this crucial information:

• For professionals and businesses: If you know someone impacted by ASRS reporting, either directly or indirectly through the supply chain, please share this series with them. It is an invaluable tool for enhancing decarbonisation practices within their operations.
• Local government officials: We encourage you to distribute this series to businesses within your local government area. By doing so, you can foster a local economy that is more informed, sustainable, and resilient.
• Membership organisations and business chambers: Sharing this series within your networks can significantly extend its reach, ensuring that businesses across various sectors receive the guidance they need to navigate the ASRS.
• Educational use: Universities and educational institutions are welcome to incorporate this video series into their curriculum. It serves as an excellent resource for students studying sustainability, business, finance, and related fields, providing them with up-to-date, real-world insights into sustainability reporting standards.

By sharing and promoting these resources, you help more people understand and adopt climate-friendly practices aligned with ASRS.

Here is the link to the ASRS playlist on YouTube:

We also recently released a blog post about the NGER (National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting) Solid Waste Calculator titled “Estimating scope 1 emissions from landfill: The benefits and limitations of the NGER Solid Waste Calculator”. The blog post explores the benefits and limitations of the NGER Solid Waste Calculator, which is relevant for landfill operators, such as local governments. Read the full article by following this link.

New standards to reduce carbon emissions of passenger and light commercial vehicles

The Australian Government has finally revealed its much-anticipated plan for vehicle fuel efficiency standards for new cars. The proposed standards would introduce a yearly cap on emissions output for new car fleets sold in Australia, with stringency to increase each year over 5 years, delivering potential annual fuel savings of up to $1,000 for new vehicles. The Government's preferred option aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 369m tonnes by 2050, equivalent to the cumulative emissions from light vehicles in Australia over the last six years.

The standard applies to the total fleet sold by a car maker rather than individual cars. This approach aims to incentivise car manufacturers to provide more low- and zero-emissions vehicles, reducing the average emissions intensity of new cars while at the same time avoiding the need for restrictions on any specific brands or models. The Government argues that more fuel-efficient cars are already available globally but are not being sent to Australia due to the lack of standards. Australia, alongside Russia, stands out as one of the few countries in the OECD without such standards. Analysts have long cautioned that manufacturers are using Australia as a dumping ground for high-polluting vehicles due to the absence of penalties.

In developing the business case for introducing the legislation, the Government contends that overseas standards, established for decades, have had negligible impacts on car prices. It points to the European Union, where the cost of meeting standards amounted to just $300 per car, which has now been absorbed by the industry. Legislation to establish these standards, which solely apply to new passenger and light commercial vehicles, is set to be introduced to federal parliament in the first half of 2024, taking effect from January 2025. Car manufacturers failing to meet the standards across their entire fleet will face a financial penalty with a proposed fine of $100 for every gram of CO2 emissions over the target. The outlined standards for passenger and light commercial vehicles show a gradual reduction in CO2 limits from 2025 to 2029, as shown in the table below:

Net Zero Training for Manufacturers in QLD

Calling all Queensland manufacturers! Join us for an exclusive Leadership Masterclass Series, presented by Manufacturing Skills Queensland in partnership with Ai Group. This series comprises four FREE modules taking place in Townsville and Brisbane.

I am thrilled to announce that I will be facilitating the module on Net Zero Training. In this session, we will delve into the language, principles, and actionable steps necessary to develop your company's roadmap to achieving net zero emissions.

Selected participants will also gain access to a three-month, one-to-one coaching program to further support their journey towards sustainability. Don’t miss out! Secure your spot today by registering through the following link.

?Low-Carbon Procurement Training Program

As mentioned in our previous newsletter, we are currently preparing our upcoming online Low-Carbon Procurement Training Program, designed to provide an advanced platform for exploring the ever-evolving landscape of supply-chain decarbonisation. We extend our sincere thanks to those who have already responded to our survey; your input is invaluable to us.

For those who have not yet, we kindly encourage you to take the 2-minute survey to share your preferences for the training program. Limited slots are still available for those who respond and will receive a 50% discount voucher for the finalised training program.

Current grant opportunities

In other news, we are excited to share the following grant opportunities with you:

·?????? Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative - New South Wales is taking the lead towards a greener, more sustainable future with its Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative. Committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the initiative focuses on developing new low emission technologies, enhancing local manufacturing capacity for critical low carbon products, and promoting the production of renewable energy components.

This initiative aims to increase competitiveness, attract investment, and unlock new growth opportunities for businesses across NSW. Businesses and innovators are invited to join through various funding streams and resources available in the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative. Interested parties can access the eligibility checker and register for online Q&A sessions by following this link.

·?????? Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant (MEEG) – The Queensland Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing, and Water (RDMW) has launched the Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant (MEEG) program, allocating $7.1 million to support energy efficiency initiatives within the state's manufacturing sector.

The MEEG program 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 the MEEG grant applications. While we are unable to directly assist with your application, we strongly encourage eligible companies to seize this opportunity. Secure your share of the $7.1 million funding pool to drive your business towards a more productive, sustainable, and efficient future. Learn more about the grant and its benefits by visiting this link.

Additionally, we are also organising a webinar centred on Net zero commitments by Australian states, local governments, and communities. Since 2014, 100% Renewables has been monitoring the ambitious carbon reduction, net zero, and renewable energy commitments made by Australian authorities and communities.

Stay tuned for our upcoming email announcement regarding the date of our next webinar and get in touch with me on my?LinkedIn?for more updates!

The dawn of ASRS: How it will revolutionise climate impact reporting in Australia

Kickstart your journey into the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) with our introductory blog post. Learn why ASRS is a game-changer for businesses across Australia, driving transparency and climate action…

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?Beyond compliance: the power of mandatory and voluntary sustainability reporting

Explore the power of combining the mandatory ASRS standards with voluntary sustainability frameworks in blog post 2 of our ASRS series. We explore the crucial interplay between mandatory reporting and voluntary initiatives like GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), CDP and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)…

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?The evolution of sustainability reporting

Explore the fascinating evolution of sustainability reporting from voluntary initiatives such as CDP and GRI to the mandatory Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS). Our third blog post offers a historical perspective, exploring the journey towards more accountable and transparent business practices…

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?Estimating scope 1 emissions from landfill: The benefits and limitations of the NGER Solid Waste Calculator

Unlock the Power of the NGER Solid Waste Calculator and discover how it employs a first-order decay model, distinguishing it from simpler methods. Explore the nuances of landfill site structure, ownership scenarios, and processing techniques…

?Continue reading

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