New Zealand based Landcare Research has released a programme, Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme (CEMARS), which it says will enable businesses to measure their greenhouse gas emissions, understand their carbon liabilities, and implement management plans to reduce emissions in their organisations.
Mike Tournier, business manager for Landcare Research's carboNZero programme, says, "CEMARS gives large carbon-emitting companies the framework to measure and manage their carbon footprint and make a legitimate carbon claim."
He says that with the passing of the emissions trading scheme there will be a legal requirement for heavy carbon emitters to measure their impact on the environment and take steps to actively reduce their carbon emissions within a defined timeframe to avoid heavy financial penalties.
He says, "Smart companies will be aware of the pending regulation and how it is likely to affect their business and will be taking active steps now to get their house in order. It provides a market opportunity for those companies that may not be able to participate in carboNZero because it is either too onerous (i.e., the purchase of carbon credits is beyond economic viability), or brand positioning is such that they are not seeking to make a carbon neutral claim."
Phil O'Reilly, chief executive Business New Zealand, welcomes the announcement. He says, "As we move to a carbon efficient economy, it's important that businesses have the right tools and robust certification processes to identify the opportunities to reduce their emissions. Landcare Research is to be congratulated for taking the initiative."
Landcare Research's partner in the United Kingdom, Achilles Information, has signed up to roll out the programme to 32,000 clients across 24 countries.
Turnier concludes, "CEMARS provides large carbon-emitting companies with a framework within which to measure and manage their GHG emissions profile to demonstrate a commitment to addressing their impact on climate change."
