Emissions Reduction Fund update
April 2015
Welcome to the fourth edition of the Emissions Reduction Fund update for 2015.
In this edition

First auction results

New methods available

Online tools build know-how
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Subscribe to get the latest news
First auction results
The Clean Energy Regulator has awarded contracts to the value of $660 million following the first
Emissions Reduction Fund auction. The successful contractors have committed to deliver over
47 million tonnes of abatement, with an average price of $13.95 per tonne of abatement.
The 107 carbon abatement contracts were awarded to 43 contractors covering 144 projects. The
majority applied under sequestration methods and landfill and alternative waste treatment
methods.
For an overview see the auction results fact sheet and for more information visit the Clean Energy
Regulator’s auction results page.
New methods available
Since the March edition, five Emissions Reduction Fund methods were made providing additional
opportunities for energy efficiency, wastewater, savanna burning and avoided deforestation
projects.
The Avoided deforestation method estimates emissions reductions achieved by not clearing land
that would otherwise have been cleared. This updates an existing Carbon Farming Initiative method
to make it consistent with the Emissions Reduction Fund.
The Aggregated small energy users method reduces emissions created from energy consumption by
small energy users such as households or small businesses. Organisations like energy retailers who
have access to energy metering data could use this method. Households or small businesses
included in the project could benefit through lower energy bills.
The Savanna fire management method aims to reduce the incidence and extent of larger, higher
intensity, late dry season fires in northern savannas by burning in the early dry season.
The Industrial electricity and fuel efficiency method could benefit owners or operators of (usually
large-scale) energy intensive equipment. Projects may involve a broad range of activities that reduce
direct fuel combustion emissions and emissions from electricity use. These include upgrades to
boilers, compressed air systems and heating, ventilation and cooling systems, or the installation of
variable speed drives.
The Wastewater method could benefit operators of facilities which treat domestic, commercial or
industrial wastewater using a deep open anaerobic lagoon. Operators could include municipal
sewerage plants, abattoirs and fruit and vegetable processing plants. Under the method deep open
anaerobic lagoons are replaced with anaerobic digesters. The resulting biogas is sent to a
combustion device where a large proportion of the methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is destroyed.
Applications or variations for emissions reduction projects using these methods can be made to the
Clean Energy Regulator.
For more information, please call 1300 553 542 or email enquiries@cleanenergyregulator.gov.au
Online tools build know-how
The Clean Energy Regulator has released the first in a suite of online education tools designed to
assist anyone considering running an Emissions Reduction Fund project.
‘Understanding the ERF’ consists of a series of learning modules and video demonstrations. The
current release focuses on projects that store or ‘sequester’ carbon in vegetation or soil.
Two modules explain key concepts for running a sequestration project, and provide tools and
information to help choose a method. A third module explores how to map a project area and
measure carbon abatement according to Emissions Reduction Fund sequestration methods.
Accompanying the modules are video demonstrations of some sequestration tools including
FullCam, the Carbon Farming Mapping Tool and the Reforestation Modelling Tool.
An upcoming module will help users work out if an Emissions Reduction Fund project is suitable for
their situation and another will look at key points and terms of a contract.
Subscribe to get the latest Emissions Reduction Fund news
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can subscribe here.
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Further information
Read more about the Australian Government’s broader environmental policies at
www.environment.gov.au.
Disclaimer
The information included in the publication remains in development and parties are advised not to initiate any
projects based on the content of the newsletter. While the Commonwealth has made reasonable efforts to
ensure the accuracy and correctness of the material at the time of publication, the Commonwealth does not
guarantee, and accepts no liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency
or completeness of this material.