Low Carbon Marina InitiativeThe 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.
The MIAA and the Carbon Reduction Institute anticipate a 20% reduction in overall greenhouse levels from the marina industry by 2015 through the Initiative.
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 Industries Association of Australia.
Low Carbon Marina Initiative Directory
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