THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Cabinet Secretary,Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
MEDIA RELEASE
BIG OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS IN CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE
The Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, today visited Sensis, producer of the Yellow Pages and White Pages directories, to welcome the carbon neutral certification of its print and online directories.
This certification comes as recognition of Sensis carbon offset programs under the Australian Government's National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS).
Sensis is to be congratulated for bringing millions of households and businesses into Australia's carbon neutral network, Mr Dreyfus said.
In achieving certification under the Australian Government's NCOS Carbon Neutral Program, Sensis has been able to reduce its carbon emissions across its range of technology and information services.
"The NCOS Carbon Neutral Program, established by the Australian Government on 1 July 2010, allows organisations or products to be certified as carbon neutral, meaning that net emissions associated with a product or an organisations activities are equal to zero.
"The Program and its partners continue to take the lead in Australia's voluntary carbon sector and demonstrate their commitment to achieving a clean energy future.
The Program encourages participating companies to measure their carbon footprint, reduce their emissions where possible, and offset any remaining emissions.
"The Government will continue its focus on supporting renewable energy technology, encouraging greater energy efficiency in households and industry and the introduction of a carbon price," Mr Dreyfus said.
Low Carbon Australia CEO Meg McDonald commended Sensis for its commitment to lower its carbon footprint.
Sensis is a leader in Australia's business community in taking responsibility for the lifecycle of its products, she said.
Sensis CEO, Bruce Akhurst said Sensis is now reaping the rewards of a strong and consistent focus on managing the environmental footprint from both our business operations and our products.
The Yellow Pages and White Pages print and online directories are one of Australia's largest carbon neutral products. We made a commitment to take responsibility for the environmental footprint of our products voluntarily and ahead of the majority of the Australian business community, Mr Akhurst said.
Sensis takes its responsibilities seriously and is investing in a range of international carbon offset projects including investments in renewable energy, cook stoves, heat recovery and biomass projects, he said.
Sensis began offsetting the emissions generated throughout the complete lifecycle of the Yellow Pages and White Pages print and online directories, including the production, use, disposal and distribution of the directories from 1 February 2010.
FRIDAY, 29 JULY 2011
Background information
Low Carbon Australia
The Carbon Neutral Program is a voluntary scheme which allows Australian businesses to measure, reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with business operations or products.
The Program is administered by Low Carbon Australia on behalf of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
Low Carbon Australia was set up by the Australian Government in 2010 as a company limited by guarantee with an independent board of directors.
The NCOS Carbon Neutral initiative is a voluntary certification scheme which allows Australian businesses to measure, reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with business operations or products. This Government initiative is delivered by Low Carbon Australia which acts as an independent accreditation body.
For more information on NCOS visit: http://www.lowcarbonaustralia.com.au/book/carbon-neutral-program-getting-started
