ARTICLE · 09 AUGUST 2010

The Carbon Neutral Program and the National Carbon Offset Standard

Norton Rose Fulbright Australia

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The NCOS commenced operation on 1 July 2010 and takes over from the 'Greenhouse Friendly' programme which closed on 30 June 2010.

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In our February 2010 edition of Legally Green we foreshadowed the introduction of the Federal Government's new voluntary 'carbon neutral' standard - the 'National Carbon Offset Standard' (NCOS).

The NCOS commenced operation on 1 July 2010 and takes over from the 'Greenhouse Friendly' programme which closed on 30 June 2010.

The Carbon Neutral Program provides for the voluntary certification of Australian operations and products as 'carbon neutral' where the requirements of the NCOS are met.

In order for an Australian organisation or product to achieve 'carbon neutrality' and be certified as such, the net emissions associated with an organisation's behaviour or product must equal to zero.

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