Restore through offsets

Once you’ve implemented all energy efficiency opportunities and invested in renewable energy, carbon offsetting is the last step towards a carbon positive office. A carbon offset is a credit that you purchase to compensate for emissions made elsewhere.

Carbon offsetting is a measurable and cost-effective way for your business to cut emissions by investing in conservation and renewable energy projects. These projects range from new solar and wind farms to waste diversion and reforestation, and deliver environmental, economic and community benefits.

The Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard for Buildings, administered by the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, provides best-practice guidance on how to measure, reduce, offset, report and audit emissions from building operations.

Climate Active

Climate Active is an ongoing partnership between the Australian Government and Australian businesses to drive voluntary climate action. The Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard supports and guides businesses as they account for and reduce carbon emissions. The Climate Active stamp helps consumers make informed choices and choose brands that are making a real difference.

Download our Carbon Offsetting Factsheet to learn more about carbon offsets.

Key resources

Planning for energy savings

An Energy Action Plan identifies options for operational efficiencies and outlines your priorities and investment needs for a tenancy. The Plan spells out what to do to get more out of office equipment and technology, staff behaviours and base building.

Low Carbon Grown Plan for Australia

The Low Carbon Growth Plan by Climate Works uses marginal abatement cost curve to estimate of the realistic volume and costs of opportunities to reduce GHG emissions. It shows how all energy efficiency measures are the lowest cost options for business and the economy.

The National Carbon Offset Standard

The National Carbon Offset Standard exists to ensure the environmental integrity of the carbon offsets and carbon neutral products available in the Australian voluntary market. It helps consumers to make informed choices and interpret carbon neutral claims.

Reporting on energy savings

Reporting helps recognise the organisation’s achievements and identify the next areas of activity.

Energy Smart Finance

This equipment leasing program by Low Carbon Australian allows businesses to invest energy efficient technology to future-proof against rising energy costs while reducing carbon emissions. It is operated through accredited vendors.

Explainer: Carbon offsets and carbon neutral

Carbon offsetting and carbon neutrality have become powerful and credible choices for organisations that are looking to make considerable reductions in their carbon footprint.

Ray Wilson, CEO of Carbon Neutral, one of our CitySwitch signatories, helps to explain these terms and how to get started on the journey to being carbon neutral.

The Fifth Estate ebook: Renewable Energy

In collaboration with CitySwitch, The Fifth Estate has released a free ebook about renewable energy.

Offset your carbon

Carbon offsetting is an immediate and measurable way for your business to cut emissions.

Journey to becoming carbon neutral for SME's

This case study by dsquared consulting shares insights to becoming carbon neutral for as a small to medium enterprise.

NABERS Essentials - online course

The NABERS Essentials e-Learning course is for anyone who wants to know more about NABERS.

View resource

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CitySwitch Signatory of the Year and New Signatory Awards - category judging criteria

Delivering outcomes as demonstrated by an improved or maintained current NABERS Energy rating and achieved energy savings* (up to 28 points)
Implementing one or more energy saving initiatives (up to 10 points)
Demonstrating leadership by undertaking innovative, creative or progressive office energy efficiency activities (up to 10 points)
Engagement of staff/ customers/suppliers and/or stakeholders to educate and create market transformation (up to 10 points)
Participation in CitySwitch local program activities (up to 10 points).

Note, new Signatories submitting for New Signatory of the Year Award need only complete an indicative rating – all other submissions must be accredited.

CitySwitch Partnership of the Year Award - category judging criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Submitted projects should:

Involve more than one registered company
Demonstrate that they are innovative and over and above “business as usual”
Demonstrate that they catalyse “market transformation” and or “address a market barrier”
Deliver a reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions within the built environment

Judging Criteria

Delivering outcomes as demonstrated by an improved or maintained current NABERS Energy rating and achieved energy savings* (up to 14 points)
Implementing one or more energy saving initiatives (up to 10 points)
Demonstrating leadership by undertaking innovative, creative or progressive office energy efficiency activities (up to 17 points)
Engagement of staff/ customers/suppliers and/or stakeholders to educate and create market transformation (up to 17 points)
Participation in CitySwitch local program activities (up to 10 points)
The submitting entity MUST be a CitySwitch Signatory

Note, Signatories submitting for the Partnership of the Year Award may submit an accredited NABERS tenancy, whole building or base building rating.