Low Carbon Marina Initiative launched

by MIAA on 26 May 2008 Low Carbon Marina Initiative was launched last week at the Australian Marine Innovation Conference on the Gold Coast. Keynote speaker Senator The Hon Kim Carr, Australian Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research said, 'Climate change is pressing to our marine industry. The Low Carbon Marina Initiative is one example of how the marina industry is responding to this challenge.'

The initiative is part of the Marina Industries Association of Australia (MIAA) vision to be a leader in marina environmental programs. MIAA has set a goal of a 20% reduction in the operational carbon footprint of Australian marinas by 2015.

MIAA has partnered with the Carbon Reduction Institute to develop and manage the Low Carbon Marina Initiative. The initiative provides a simple certification system to enhance the sustainability of marinas and related businesses. It allows for participation at varying levels of carbon reduction. Participating businesses go through a three step process. Firstly there is an assessment of the carbon footprint; then development of strategies to reduce carbon emissions and finally the offsetting of unavoidable carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits.

The initiative provides marina and related operators with real cost savings and marketing benefits at a time of rapidly growing consumer awareness of the need to act on global warming.

As part of the development and lead up to the launch marinas, in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland are already participating in the Carbon Marina Initiative. Bellingham Marine and Superior Jetties are also participating and MIAA expect over 40 businesses will be involved in the initiative within eight months.

Low Carbon Marina Initiative

The Low Carbon Marina Initiative is a national, voluntary certification programme for marinas, yacht clubs, boat clubs, slipways and other associated industry operators across Australia.

Marinas participating in this programme reduce the impact their operations have on the environment while gaining the ability to promote their marina as one that is part of the solution for climate change. This helps attract new customers and prepares the marina industry for future legislations on climate change.

There are many more benefits involved in becoming a carbon neutral certified marina:

Improves your marina’s public image and increases patronage
Provides expert advice on the sustainability of renewable energy, energy efficiency and waste management onsite your marina
Demonstrates leadership and commitment to EPA objectives
Delivers cost savings and increases sustainability of your operations
Decreases your impact on the environment and helps protect marine life
As operator of a Low Carbon or Carbon Neutral Marina, you will benefit from using the Low Carbon Marina Initiative logos, flags and materials. This programme will be promoted across Australia.
Read how the Low Carbon Marina Initiative was launched at the Australian Marine Innovation Conference on the Gold Coast (May 20).


How can my marina become certified?

The process of becoming certified as a low carbon or carbon neutral marina consists of three steps:

Measure your carbon footprint: A Carbon Reduction Institute representative will visit your site to determine its climate change contribution on location while using the opportunity to gather the data necessary to undertake the calculations. You will then be issued with a detailed emissions report and certification plan.

Reduce your carbon footprint: Based on the results of your carbon emissions calculation, we will make feasible customised suggestions about where you could reduce carbon emissions onsite. Measures could involve installing a rainwater tank or solar panels, or signing up to GreenPowerTM.

Offset carbon emissions: After you have reduced your marina’s climate change impact, simply offset your remaining carbon emissions by buying carbon credits. The Carbon Reduction Institute will provide you with Greenhouse Friendly™ certified carbon credits from the SMRC waste diversion project in Western Australia to offset your unavoidale carbon emissions.

Once your marina has taken the three steps above to reduce its impact on climate change, it is granted NoCO2 or LowCO2 certification depending on the level of emissions reduction you wish to achieve. Upon certification you will receive a complete welcome kit containing a Low Carbon Marina Initiative flag, posters, stickers and logos for you to use. That way your patrons will see that you are a sustainable marina that has taken active steps to become part of the solution for climate change.

The Low Carbon Marina Initiative is administered by the Carbon Reduction Institute in conjunction with the Marina Association of Australia.

Details on the Low Carbon Marina Initiative can be found at www.noco2.com.au/marinas

http://www.marinas.net.au/