NCOS Carbon Neutral Program
The National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) Carbon Neutral Program allows the Australian operations of organisations or Australian products to be certified as carbon neutral, meaning that net emissions associated with a product or an organisation’s activities are equal to zero. The Program is administered by the Low Carbon Australia.
The NCOS commenced on 1 July 2010 and is the successor to Greenhouse Friendly™, which closed on 30 June 2010. The NCOS Carbon Neutral Program is supported by a number of former participants in Greenhouse Friendly™ and other major businesses which have indicated their intention to join. Together, this group of companies and customers who purchase carbon neutral products continue to take the lead in Australia’s voluntary carbon sector and demonstrate their commitment to achieving a low carbon future.
A business may choose to go carbon neutral for the following benefits:
- reducing impact on global warming
- reputational or corporate positioning
- product positioning
- differentiation from market competitors (or keeping up with market leaders)
- attracting and retaining staff
- saving money through reducing resource use and subsequent emissions reduction
- forming a greater understanding of the carbon risk associated with business operations and/or product manufacture
- having an independent third party recognise the climate change and carbon management a company has undertaken.
Many companies who were certified under the Greenhouse Friendly initiative are now certified under, or are undertaking the transition to the NCOS Carbon Neutral Program. These companies are entitled to present their carbon neutral product/s or their organisation’s activities under the terms of the NCOS Carbon Neutral Program: Transitioning participants.
Program guidelines and guidance templates
The NCOS Carbon Neutral Program Guidelines have been prepared to provide general information and guidance on meeting the requirements of the NCOS.
Guidance templates