Are you ready for a carbon restrained environment?

The Australian Government is establishing an emissions trading scheme in an effort to meet the climate change challenge. But what does it all mean for your food business?

South Australian food businesses can start preparing now for changes under the Federal Government’s emissions trading scheme, according to carbon emission management consultancy, Balance Carbon.

Balance Carbon Executive Director Matthew Shorten says ‘making a difference’ and prospering in a carbon restrained environment is achievable. All it takes is knowledge and a little focus.

The government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) features two distinct elements - a cap on carbon pollution and the ability to trade emission rights.

While the CPRS is aimed squarely at the nation’s big carbon emitters, food businesses will feel the impact of the changes with increased fuel, fertilizer and energy costs. These costs will be felt directly through increased energy costs, but indirectly through increased prices from suppliers. Importantly for agriculture, there may even be a cost on methane emissions from herds by 2015.

However, Matthew said by reducing energy and fuel costs now, food businesses can stay ahead of the impact and reap cost saving benefits.

For example, buying locally grown produce can limit the amount of transport and refrigeration required in order for that item to be available for purchase. And food businesses can investigate the resource intensity required for a particular product/produce to be prepared.

Matthew said food businesses could benefit from the broader CPRS initiatives with improved relationships with suppliers and customers.

“For example, the scheme could give food businesses an important price and marketing advantage if they embrace sustainability and environmental management principals.”

Reducing your footprint

Matthew said there were many simple ways for food businesses to get started on reducing their carbon footprint. But importantly a business should understand its carbon profile initially, so all internal changes can be monitored for their effectiveness.

Transport

• Where possible, limit the amount of travelling done to overseas and interstate locations. 
• Investigate the performance of contractor/transport fleet vehicle efficiency. 
• Consider replacing your current vehicle fleet with more fuel efficient models in the future.

Equipment

• Investigate energy efficient equipment (ovens, cool rooms, etc).
• Use laptops rather than desktop computers.
• Turn off all machines when not in use.  
• Activate your computers energy saving function. 
• See if you can access federal or state government funding to improve your facility’s building efficiency. 
• Re-set photocopiers and printers to default to double sided printing.

Lighting

• Remove or de-lamp unnecessary lights.
• Turn off lights when not in use.

Your Comfort

• Install insulation.
• Open windows if you can, instead of using air conditioners.
• Program your climate control systems to turn off at the end of each day and on weekends.
• Organise a carbon audit for your business. Balance Carbon provides accredited greenhouse gas assessments of the intensity of your business.

Materials

• Introduce recycling bins for all paper and cardboard products, glass, plastics and food scraps.
• Use electronic mail wherever possible. You can also send and receive faxes electronically.
• Re-fill toner cartridges used in photocopiers and ink-jet printers. 
• Aim to source packaging materials with lower virgin material content.

Other

• Establish a ‘Green Team’ or individual to implement longer - term and ongoing energy efficiency initiatives.
• Introduce an emissions reduction goal.
• Develop an environmental policy, which clarifies your organisations ‘position’ in relation to its environmental objectives and performance.
• Speak to ZeroWaste SA about their Resource Efficiency Assistance Program.

Taking it a step further

Matthew said if food businesses wanted to take a step further, consultancies such as Balance Carbon could assist.

In 2008, Balance Carbon teamed up with Clean Seas Tuna Ltd to undertake a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Audit. 

“After measuring their carbon footprint, we worked with them to establish an Emissions Management Plan designed to help them reduce their energy consumption and emission outputs over time. The plan aims to reduce operating costs and reduce their overall emission profile. Clearly, a double benefit.”

Meanwhile, Australian Bight Abalone (ABA) is currently undertaking its second annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) audit. They have an active Emissions Management Plan, which integrates with its broader environmental goals, objectives and actions, and are also purchasing certified carbon credits to achieve carbon neutral status.

Want to know more?

Contact
Matthew Shorten
Balance Carbon
p 1300 775 410
e matt@balancecarbon.com
w www.balancecarbon.com