The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007
The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 establishes a national system for reporting greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and production by corporations from 1 July 2008.
Data reported under the Act will underpin the Australian Emissions Trading Scheme. Monitoring, reporting and auditing of businesses' greenhouse gas emissions data will be essential to maintain the environmental and financial integrity of a trading scheme.
Key features of the NGER Act are:
- Reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and production by large corporations.
- Public disclosure of company level greenhouse gas emissions and energy information.
- Consistent and comparable data available for decision making, in particular, the development of the Australian Emissions Trading Scheme.
Who needs to report?
Corporations will need to submit a report for the 2008-2009 financial year if they:
- emit 125 kilotonnes or more of greenhouse gases (measured in CO2 equivalent) or produce or use 500 terajoules or more of energy each year; or
- have operational control of facilities that emit 25 kilotonnes or more of greenhouse gases (measured in CO2 equivalent), or use or produce 100 terajoules or more of energy per year.
Corporations can use the NGER Calculator to help estimate whether they meet the thresholds.
A fact sheet is available to assist corporations in identifying who has operational control over a facility.
Do I need to report now?
Corporations who may meet thresholds and who are not already collecting greenhouse gas emissions and energy data should begin collecting data and keeping records now. Most corporations likely to be affected by the legislation in its first reporting year (1 July 2008 - 30 June 2009) have systems or processes in place for reporting under mandatory or voluntary government programs or to meet investor or shareholder demands.
Corporations have until 31 August 2009 to apply to register and until 31 October 2009 to submit their report under the Act.
For more information see the NGERS Overview Fact Sheet
