THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Cabinet Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
MEDIA RELEASE
CARBON NEUTRAL - A NEW PAGE FOR AUSTRALIAN PAPER
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus QC MP, visited the Australian Paper mill in Maryvale today to award the company carbon neutral certification of its range of premium office paper.
Australian Paper is to be congratulated for its commitment to sustainable business practices and reducing its emissions, particularly in the production of its carbon neutral products, such as its widely used office paper, Mr Dreyfus said.
In achieving certification under the Gillard Governments National Carbon Offset Scheme Carbon Neutral Program, Australian Paper has measured its greenhouse gas emissions, taken steps to reduce these, and committed to offset remaining emissions by cancelling carbon offsets.
The General Manager Marketing (Australian Office) for Australian Paper, Martin Rodger, said Australian Paper is committed to sustainable paper making and is the first company to manufacture carbon neutral paper in Australia.
We are delighted to be a part of the Australian Governments National Carbon Offset Standard program. Australian Paper can quantify the triple bottom line value for every tonne of paper produced.
Buying locally made, carbon neutral paper contributes significantly to Australia's environmental, social and economic wellbeing, said Martin Roger.
Mr Dreyfus said the actions of Australian Paper, and those taken by businesses around Australia, complement the Gillard Governments Clean Energy Future plan to transform Australia to a low carbon economy and introduce a carbon price.
A clean energy future is a necessary reform to maintain a competitive economy, to protect our environment and to do the right thing for our children and future generations.
Under the Gillard Governments plan, Australia will cut at least 160 million tonnes of carbon pollution a year from our atmosphere by 2020.
Companies such as Australian Paper that have chosen to offset products or operations under the National Carbon Offset Scheme are taking additional action that goes beyond these targets, Mr Dreyfus said.
The National Carbon Offset Standard, which came into effect on 1 July 2010, provides measures to ensure the environmental integrity of carbon offsets and carbon neutral products. Australian organisations and Australian-made products can also be certified as carbon neutral through the National Carbon Offset Standard Carbon Neutral Program, which is administered by Low Carbon Australia Ltd.
Organisations seeking to voluntarily offset their emissions or achieve carbon neutrality under the program are able to purchase carbon offsets from a list of eligible offset units.
Australian Paper manufactures around 90 per cent of the recycled and carbon neutral office paper that is sold in Australia each year, with approximately two-thirds of the company's fibre inputs coming from plantation wood, recycled pulp and wastepaper from kerbside recycling.
MONDAY, 12 DECEMBER 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 National Carbon Offset Standard 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 the National Carbon Offset Standard visit:
http://www.lowcarbonaustralia.com.au/book/carbon-neutral-program-getting-started
