FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About OSCAR
What is OSCAR?
OSCAR is a web-based data-gathering and benchmarking tool designed to enable clients to input and update their energy and greenhouse data online.Why use OSCAR?
To gain a clear picture of, and therefore improve, your organisation's greenhouse footprint whilst at the same time identifying measurable savings.What does OSCAR do?
OSCAR standardises the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions to produce comparable datasets regarding environmental performance for whole industry and government sectors.What training is available?
The Department of Climate Change offers a variety of training for users including classroom sessions for Industry Advisors and Jurisdictional Coordinators, downloadable user manuals and is currently developing detailed e-Learning modules for new users.Who conducts training for users?
The Department of Climate Change currently conducts instructor-led training only for Program Managers and Jurisdictional Coordinators.
Additionally, the Department is developing a series of e-learning modules for new users of OSCAR and those wishing to refresh their current OSCAR reporting skills. Designed for both novice and more experienced users, these modules will be available online once organisations have registered to use the OSCAR application.
Are there organisations that offer training in using OSCAR?
The Department of Climate Change is currently developing a training package which will be delivered via approved training providers. More information about the approved training providers will be available from the Department's website in early 2009.
The Department will not be responsible for training provided by non-certified trainers.
How do I find out how to use OSCAR?
If you are a member or prospective member of a reporting program, please contact your Advisor.
National Greenhouse Energy Reporting members can contact the Reporting help desk on 1800 018 831 or by email reporting@climatechange.gov.au
Greenhouse Challenge Plus members can contact their Industry Advisor via the GCP help desk on 02 6274 1229 or by email greenhouse.challenge@greenhouse.gov.au
Information on the Energy Efficiency Opportunities program can be found on the Department of Resource, Energy and Tourism website, or by e-mailing the EEO team at energyefficiencyopportunities@ret.gov.au, or calling their hotline on 1300 799 186.
Can OSCAR reflect my organisation's corporate structure and organisational boundaries?
Yes, member companies and government agencies can create an 'organisational hierarchy' to suit specific data patterns and then enter data by 'sub-entity' in its measured type and unit. The data to be captured within OSCAR can be customised to reflect the size, nature and operational requirements of your organisation.
Can OSCAR reflect my organisation's regional boundaries?
Yes, OSCAR calculates emissions from regional consumption data using emissions factors that are specific to your organisation's locations.Can data be entered periodically?
Yes, data can be entered at an aggregate level annually or periodically bill-by-bill. In both cases, emissions are calculated using regional and entity specific emissions factors.
Does OSCAR calculate emissions automatically?
Yes, OSCAR stores all the necessary conversion factors to automatically convert energy and fuel consumption data into greenhouse gas emissions in quantities of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e). OSCAR can be modified to calculate emissions using emissions factors that are specific to your industry sector.
Can I manage my own data and details?
If you are a member of one of the government reporting programmes with access to OSCAR, you can self-manage your own contact details and sub-entities with the security of knowing that all data is held for personal access only. You can determine the features and access permission levels for any contact at any level within your company or organisation.
OSCAR for NGERS
What is OSCAR? How does my corporation report?
OSCAR (Online System for Comprehensive Activity Reporting) is a web-based data collection tool for recording of energy, waste and greenhouse data for Government programme reporting. Under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007, corporations that trigger energy consumption, production or greenhouse gas emissions will need to report to NGERS using OSCAR.
To check if you meet the thresholds set under NGERS you can use the NGERS Threshold calculator available from https://www.oscar.gov.au/reporting.
OSCAR is currently being enhanced to support the reporting requirements of multiple government greenhouse and energy reporting programmes including NGERS. The upgrades are scheduled to be rolled out over the next 12 months. To ensure ease of use for those already familiar with OSCAR, most functionality will remain the same. For more information on OSCAR see www.climatechange.gov.au/oscar
How do I set up a new OSCAR account for NGER reporting?
Registration for NGERS can be made via an online registration tool at www.climatechange.gov.au/reporting
An account for OSCAR will be set up for you once your registration has been accepted, allowing you to set up your company structure from September 2008. Entry of reporting data will be enabled from December 2008.
Do I need to calculate my greenhouse gas emissions prior to reporting in OSCAR?
No, OSCAR stores all the necessary conversion factors to automatically convert energy and fuel consumption data into greenhouse gas emissions in quantities of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e). OSCAR can also be modified to calculate emissions using emissions factors that are specific to your industry sector.
What enhancements are planned for OSCAR?
Online registration for companies will be available from 1 July 2008 for corporations who meet the NGER thresholds. Other scheduled enhancements include
- Phase 1 release of OSCAR, scheduled for September 2008, to provide companies with the ability to set up their reporting entity structure in OSCAR;
- Phase 2 will involve data entry and bulk data upload functionality and is scheduled for December 2008.
- Phase 3 includes enhanced reporting ability from OSCAR and any necessary enhancements through the streamlining of NGERS and is scheduled for early 2009.
How would another system interact with OSCAR?
Currently, there is no mechanism to enable a third party system to interact with OSCAR. However, a bulk data upload functionality is currently being scoped for development, to be available in December 2008. A public consultation on specifications will be conducted closer to completion of analysis.
More Information
A good place to start is to visit the OSCAR home page at www.climatechange.gov.au/oscar
National Greenhouse Energy Reporting Scheme members can contact the Reporting help desk on 1800 018 831 or by email reporting@climatechange.gov.au
More information?
Email: oscar@climatechange.gov.au
Website: https://www.oscar.gov.au
