15 Free Online Project management

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/11/13/15-useful-project-management-tools/



There is a huge variety of project management applications out there. Most are general purpose apps, not aimed at any one industry. But there is a growing number of project management apps aimed specifically at one industry or another. Applications geared to creative types are becoming more readily available, and some of the offerings are really quite good.

Many of these project management apps have built-in code repositories and subversion browsers (or are built around them). A few have built-in bug and issue tracking. Others include more than just basic project management. All of them can help you keep track of activities and team members. There are both free and paid options. Some have very slick interfaces, and some are modeled more after desktop applications. All are relatively easy to use and easy to set up.

Below are 15 useful project management applications, almost all of which are targeted directly at Web developers, designers (both Web and print) and other creative types. The last one is not geared specifically to creative types but is the most unique project management application I’ve found and is included on that basis as well as because of its potential usefulness for designers and developers.

Also consider our previous article:

* Web Applications: Improve Your Workflow

1. Basic Project Management Apps

These applications are marketed specifically for project management. Most include things like task-, team-, and goal-management features. Some include additional features such as time tracking and invoicing.
Lighthouse

Lighthouse is a bug- and issue-tracking app that tracks timelines and milestones, integrates with your email client and more. You can update tickets through your inbox, manage your beta testing (by making tickets and milestones public), integrate it with subversion and manage and prioritize your tickets.

Lighthouse Dashboard Screenshot

Project creation is simple; only a project title and description is required. Once a project is created, tickets, messages and milestones can be entered. Ticket creation can be done by email (the email address to send tickets to is displayed on the “Tickets” page). You can show tickets based on a variety of criteria, including date, state (open or closed) and who is responsible for them. Message creation is easier than email, and you can attach files up to 50 MB in size. When you create a milestone you simply enter the title, the date it’s due and the goals or focus for that particular milestone. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

Permissions are easy to set, and you can invite users by email. One of the best features of Lighthouse is its Beacon and API integration. With the API, you can customize tickets, projects, changesets, milestones, messages and more. Integrate it with other services (such as Google Calendar), or make desktop applications that use Lighthouse. The APIs make Lighthouse infinitely more useful, because you can really customize it to fit your current workflow.

Lighthouse Milestone Creation Screenshot

Lighthouse is great for Web development teams (or individuals) and has a very easy-to-use interface. They have paid and free plans, all of which include unlimited open-source projects. The free plan lets you manage one private project with up to two people on the account. The paid plans range from $10 per month for the Personal plan (with up to 3 projects, 10 users and 100 MB of file upload storage space) to $120 per month for the Platinum plan (with unlimited projects, up to 50 public projects, unlimited users and 30 GB of file upload space).

When combined with a subversion app, Lighthouse provides a pretty complete project management app for developers. Subversion integration is pretty straightforward, and the help file provided gives complete step-by-step instructions for setup.
Springloops

Springloops is another subversion browser that integrates project management. It counts a unique AJAX code browser and Basecamp integration as among its features.

Springloops Dashboard Screenshot

The Springloops interface is very intuitive and easy to use. Tabbed navigation provides access to the log, source and deployment information. Adding users is done via email, along with the ability to create usernames and passwords (making it easier and faster for them to get on board with a project). Creating new projects is simple, with a few different templates available (including a starter template). You can migrate an existing repository into Springloops as well (including plain text dumps). For added project management ability, Springloops can be integrated with Basecamp.

Springloops Source Browser Screenshot

Springloops has a number of plans available, both paid and free. The free plan includes 25 MB of space, 3 projects, 3 deployments per day (using FTP or SFTP connections), roll-back capabilities, Basecamp integration, subversion and an unlimited number of users. The paid plans range from the “Flowerpot” plan at $9 per month (including 1 GB of space and 10 projects) to the “Forest” plan at $96 per month (including 18 GB of storage, unlimited projects, automatic deployment and secure SSL encryption). All of the paid plans include a free 30-day trial.
CreativePro Office

CreativePro Office offers complete office management tools. CreativePro Office is completely free, setting it apart from the other apps here.

CreativePro Office Dashboard Screenshot

CreativePro Office has the usual tabbed navigation, including tabs for clients, projects, time sheets, finances and team members. The dashboard presents a calendar with upcoming events, a list of your projects, outstanding invoices, notes and search functionality. Project creation is a bit more in-depth than with most other apps listed here, though only a client name and project name is required (you can also fill in a project URL, description or comments, category, date range, status, contacts and tags). Client tracking is integrated, making this handy for those who work with lots of different clients, and it could even serve as a simple CRM program, depending on your needs.

CreativePro Office Finance Tab Screenshot

Integrated invoices and financial information is handy, and the finances page gives you options for viewing and creating invoices, expenses and reports.

CreativePro Office is very robust for a completely free application and is definitely worth checking out before shelling out for an expensive paid solution.
Jumpchart

Jumpchart is a website planning application that allows you to plan the navigation of your website by creating, dragging and dropping pages into the plan. You can also add text and formatting to pages and then export your CSS files and site map when you’re finished.

Jumpchart Home Page Screenshot

This is a great planning app for Web designers, though it’s not strictly a project management application. You can add comments to each page, which could serve to keep track of tasks related to specific pages. More traditional project management functions could be kept track of in the text of each mockup page or through the comments. The mockup and planning capabilities of Jumpchart make it worth using, even if hacks are needed to make it more conducive to full project management.

Jumpchart Add Sub-Page Screenshot

The free Jumpchart plan offers 1 project with 1 MB of storage and a maximum of 10 pages and 2 users. The paid plans range from the Simple plan at $5 per month (including up to 5 projects, with 25 pages and 5 users per project, and 100 MB of storage) to the Deluxe plan at $50 per month (including up to 30 projects with unlimited pages and users and 5000 MB of storage).
No Kahuna

No Kahuna is a simple project management and issue-tracking platform. It’s very straightforward and easy to use, with an excellent user interface. Features include task and activity tracking and collaboration tools.

No Kahuna Activity Page Screenshot

No Kahuna is excellent for basic project management and ticket tracking. There aren’t a ton of features, which can be a very good thing. It’s very quick to get started, also a big plus.

No Kahuna Project Info Screenshot

There are free accounts available that include unlimited projects and users. However, if your projects accumulate more than 30 open tasks, you will need to upgrade. Paid options are reasonably priced, ranging from 3 projects for $9 per month up to 100 projects for $99 per month. Open-source projects are always free, no matter how many open tasks you have.
Basecamp

Basecamp is often considered to be the best project management and collaboration platform out there. Its features are impressive: to-do lists, file sharing, message boards, milestones, time tracking, project overviews and commenting.

Basecamp Dashboard Screenshot

The user interface is definitely one of the best out there, and because of its popularity, tons of other companies are making products that integrate with Basecamp, extending its capabilities.

Basecamp Time Tracking Screenshot

Pricing is reasonable, though it’s definitely not the cheapest solution out there. The Basic plan is only $24 per month and includes up to 15 active projects, 3 GB of file storage and unlimited clients and users. The Max plan is a hefty $149 per month, but includes unlimited projects, 50 GB of file storage, time tracking, SSL security and a free Campfire Premium account.
2. Wiki-Based Project Management

Wikis are another option for project management, whether you use one instead of a basic project management application or in addition to one. One of the solutions below is geared to complete project management and includes additional features, while the other is just a wiki and is suitable for project management and other uses.
Trac Project

Trac Project is a project management app that is based on wiki functionality. It also includes a subversion browser, a timeline, ticket tracking, a road map (showing milestones and the number of current open and closed tickets) and builds status tracking.

Trac Project Main Wiki Page Screenshot

One of Trac’s best features is the range of plug-ins available for it. There are plug-ins for Web administration, authentication, code documentation, file management, ticketing, testing, user management and version control.

Trac Project Ticket Management Screenshot

Another big advantage: Trac is free and licensed under a modified BSD license.
PBwiki

PBwiki is one of the easiest free wikis out there to use. You can share files with other users, set access controls for individual pages and folders, add other users to your wiki, monitor and track version changes and more.

PBwiki Main Page Screenshot

Setup is quick and easy and can be done in less than a minute. The PBwiki interface is very intuitive, and there is virtually no learning curve. Creating folders and pages is straightforward, as is editing existing pages. You can also comment on each page, and get a printable version with a single click.

PBwiki Page Creation Screenshot

There are multiple themes you can choose from for the design, as well as templates for individual page content (or you can start from scratch). There are a few different plans available, both paid and free. The free plan allows from 1 to 3 users. Paid plans range from $4 per month per user (if you have more than 10,000 users) to $8 per month per user (for 4 to 999 users).
3. Bug and Ticket Tracking

Any time you work on a Web application or website, there are going to be bugs and issues that crop up. While some basic project management applications have built-in ticket tracking, others don’t, and sometimes the built-in solution doesn’t quite meet your needs (either because it’s too robust or is missing key features).
16bugs

16bugs is a very simple bug-tracking system. Its main advantage is the color-coding system used for different types of information (like updates, comments and closed tickets).

16bugs Activity Report Screenshot

Setup is quick and easy. The user interface is easy to figure out. Creating bugs is easy, and the color-coded labels on the activity tab make it easy to see what’s going on at a glance.

16bugs Bug Submission Screenshot

There are a variety of account types available. The free account allows 1 project, 1 MB of storage and Basecamp imports. Starting at $8 per month, paid plans include more projects (3 with the Basic plan), 150 MB to 10 GB of storage, RSS and email notifications, Campfire notifications and SSL (starting with the $15-per-month Big plan).
JIRA

JIRA is issue- and bug-tracking software that includes a lot of great features. It has advanced reporting features, workflow mapping as well as issue and project organizing; it is also customizable.

JIRA Dashboard Screenshot

JIRA also offers a number of plug-ins to extend its functionality, including Bamboo integration, charting, time tracking, project management, a calendar and more. By using plug-ins, you can customize JIRA to meet your exact project management and issue-tracking needs.

JIRA Issue Navigator Screenshot

JIRA’s biggest drawback is its pricing; it’s not cheap. A hosted account starts at $299 per month for up to 25 users and goes up from there (250 users costs $599 per month). If you want to download JIRA and host it on your own server, it starts at $1200 for a single project team, and goes as high as $4800 for an entire organization. If you need an academic license, solutions start at only $600.
4. Collaboration and Conferencing

If you’re working with a remote team on your project, you’re probably going to need some online space to collaborate and meet, whether it’s to work on general concepts or to work out specific bugs. Here are three solutions to help you collaborate with those on your team or with your clients.
activeCollab

activeCollab is a project management and collaboration tool that lets you set up a collaboration area right on your website. You can have unlimited projects, organized into groups for easy management.

activeCollab Dashboard Screenshot

Collaboration features include file sharing, discussions (set up like an online forum), assignments, collaborative writing and reminders. Project management features include printing and exporting, time tracking, calendar and schedule functionality, ticket management and milestones. Plug-ins (modules) mean that activeCollab can be extended to suit your specific needs.

activeCollab Project Overview Screenshot

There are two pricing options available: Corporate and Small Business. The Small Business edition includes source-code browsing, plug-in support, themes, discussions, milestones, checklists, files, project templates, a mobile interface and localization support. It’s priced at $199, with support and upgrades being an additional $99 per year after the first year. The Corporate edition has all of the above features, plus the calendar, tickets, time tracking, pages (with collaborative writing and more), a project explorer, and status updates. Both packages include unlimited projects and users. You can also purchase a Copyright Removal license, which removes the “activeCollab Powered” graphic from the footer of each page, for an additional $199.
DimDim

DimDim is a Web-conferencing platform that provides collaboration tools for meeting online. It’s scalable, reliable and flexible, with both hosted and on-site versions available.

DimDim Main Page Screenshot

DimDim allows you to share your desktop with those you’re meeting with, as well as share and present documents (both PowerPoint and PDFs). You can also share Whiteboards, and it has built-in voice-over-IP and teleconferencing capabilities. There are public and private chat capabilities as well as annotation and markup tools.

DimDim New Meeting Screenshot

There are free and paid plans available. The free plan offers the complete feature set, with support for meetings of up to 20 people. DimDim Pro offers the complete feature set, plus custom branding and up to 100 people in a meeting for only $99 per year. There is also an Enterprise-level package that includes all of the above but also allows simultaneous meetings with up to 1000 attendees for $1998 per year.
Vyew

Vyew is a browser-based Web presentation service that allows for custom branding and PowerPoint-like authoring. With Vyew, you can give a live presentation or just post a document for your colleagues to review at their convenience.

Vyewbook Creation Screenshot

Features include real-time desktop sharing, whiteboarding and drawing tools, embedded comments, built-in voice over IP, free teleconferencing, built-in webcam video support, text chat, dedicated rooms and direct URLs and more. It’s a complete solution for Web conferencing.

Vyew Document Explorer Screenshot

Vyew has a number of plans available, including a free plan, which includes unlimited meetings, SSL secure log-in, up to 20 participants (all seeing ads) and up to 5 VyewBooks (presentations) with up to 50 pages each. There are two paid plans: Plus at $6.95 per month, which includes everything the free plan has plus up to 25 participants (or 5 with no ads), and up to 25 VyewBooks with up to 100 pages each, and Professional at $13.95 per month, which includes everything the Plus plan has, but with up to 45 participants (or 15 with no ads), and up to 100 VyewBooks with up to 300 pages each.
5. Invoicing

Unless you’re working on an internal project, chances are you’ll need to send out invoices. Having an invoice program that also does proposals is helpful, as is having one that integrates directly with your project management app.
Simply Invoices

Simply Invoices integrates with Basecamp, More Honey, Tick and Harvest to invoice based on time that you track with those programs. Features include invoice templates, unlimited invoices, the ability to save invoices as PDFs and invoice tracking.

Simply Invoices Screenshot

There are a few different plans available, including a free plan that includes up to five invoice templates and SSL support. Paid plans start at $9 per month (which includes up to ten invoice templates, plus a custom logo and link-free invoices) and go up to $25 per month (which includes an unlimited number of templates).
Less Accounting

Less Accounting is a simple online accounting and invoicing program that is incredibly easy to use. Less Accounting has a variety of features, including proposal creation and tracking, mileage tracking, sales-lead management and expense tracking. You can import your existing Wesabe.com account, and you can even invite your CPA to look at your books. Less Accounting also sends a weekly email with an update on the status of your accounts.

Less Accounting Screenshot

There are a variety of account plans available, including a free plan. The free plan includes up to 5 invoices, expenses, sales notes, deposits, proposals, mileage logs each month, SSL encryption, reports and bank-account integration. The paid plans range from the Even Less plan at $12 per month (including invoicing, expenses, contacts, SSL encryption, technical support, deposits and reports) to the More plan at $24 per month (including everything in the Even Less plan, plus sales notes, bank accounts, proposals, mileage logs, bank reconciliation, support for multiple types of sales tax and more). A 30-day free trial is available for all plans.
6. Time Tracking

Whether you need to keep track of your time for billing purposes, for your boss, or just to measure your own productivity, chances are you’ll need a time-tracking application.
LiveTimer

LiveTimer is an easy-to-use time-tracking program that works on both your computer and iPhone. It can be used for billing purposes or simply to improve your productivity and accountability.

LiveTimer Summary Report Screenshot

Features include a daily ledger, bulk time entry (by day or week), customizable classifications, multiple currencies, custom billing rates, intelligent report filters and a developer API. The iPhone integration makes it easy to track your time even if you’re not at your desk, making it more useful than many other Web-based time-tracking applications.

LiveTimer Time Ledger Screenshot

Pricing is cheap, at only $5 per active user per month. Qualifying non-profits get a 50% discount. There is a 30-day free trial available.
fourteenDayz

fourteenDayz is a time-tracking program specifically for teams. It features day-by-day time sheets, exportable reports (in both PDF and Excel formats), drag-and-drop categories and no user limit.

fourteenDayz Time Sheet Entry Screenshot

There are 6 different plans offered, including a free account (which includes up to 4 active projects/clients, 10 project categories, an unlimited number of users and reporting functions). The paid plans range from the Personal at $5 per month (which includes the free account features plus up to 7 active projects/clients, 15 project categories, 30 project subcategories and PDF reports) to the Platinum at $99 per month (which includes all the Personal features plus unlimited active projects/clients, unlimited project categories and subcategories, XLS/CSV exportability and SSL connections).

通向哥本哈根之路的全球减排路线图 (zt)

http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/ch/2892

目前并没有一个为世界各国所接受的全球减排方案，其根本原因是原有的国家分类原则不适合现实情况，也不利于减排目标实现。为此，胡鞍钢教授提出全球减排中国家分类的两大原则：一，以人类发展指数（Human Development Index，简称HDI）分类为基础的四分组原则，来替代发达国家与发展中国家两分组原则。二，污染排放大国减排主体原则。上述两个原则可以作为全球减排的约束指标。他根据这两大原则分析了中国应承担的减排责任和义务，并根据中国各地区净碳源和HDI情况提出了地方减排的路线图。他认为，中国可以通过承诺减排义务推动全球减排协议的达成，为世界做出新的绿色贡献。中外对话将分三部分刊载胡鞍钢的观点。


应按两大原则对全球国家重新分类

人类的未来是人类自我选择的结果，哥本哈根高峰会是全人类拯救地球的最后机会，却存在失败的可能性，即不能就减排目标和义务达成全球协议，全人类都将成为气候变化的受害者。中国也并不例外，她既是世界上人口最多的国家，也是世界上生态环境相对脆弱、国土面积最大的国家之一，既可能是全球公共产品的最大受益者，也可能是全球气候变化的最大受害者。

尽管世界已经变为一个愈来愈紧密的地球村，迄今为止，全球性国际组织和各国政治家还没有找出一个为200多个国家与地区所接受的共同减排目标和方案。按照目前各国的各自利益和要求看，很难达成全球减排协议，哥本哈根高峰会愈来愈临近，而失败的可能性却愈来愈大。它的失败，是人类的失败。

因此，在哥本哈根大会之前，必须提出一个能为各国所接受的国际气候政策模式和减排方案。这一方案必须能够重新定义发达国家和对发展中国家，从而明确未来的减排义务，动态地实施减排协议。目前《联合国气候变化框架公约》将世界200多个国家分类为两类国家组：发达国家和发展中国家。全球减排义务遵循分担原则，对发达国家有区别政策。但在世界现实之中，这两种分类方法十分粗糙，发达国家比较明确，如以经济合作发展组织（OECD）成员国为主。但发展中国家包含了100多个国家。因此减排义务成了少数发达国家的义务，这样反而不利于全球减排的。发展中国家不加入减排行列也成了一些发达国家拒绝减排的口实。

因此，必须重新划分减排国家的类型，充分考虑排放的流量和存量、人均排放和总量排放、历史责任和现实责任。

我们可以根据公平与效率的原则对世界200多个国家进行四组分类，取代传统的两组分类；根据世界主要排放国占世界总量来确定相应的减排贡献，为此我提出两大原则：

第一大原则是以人类发展指数（Human Development Index，简称HDI）分类为基础的四分组原则来替代发达国家与发展中国家两分组原则。

但是，UNDP没有对占世界人口最多，国家数量最多的中等发展水平国家做出区分。因此，我们对中等人类发展水平国家做进一步的区分，即将其划分为上中等人类发展水平国家和下中等人类发展水平国家。因此，总体上我们将HDI划分为四组，高HDI组（大于0.8）、上中等HDI组（0.65-0.8）、下中等 HDI组（0.5-0.65）、低HDI组（小于0.5），即一个地球，四个世界。

目前高HDI组共70个国家，16亿人，占世界总人口的25.46%，他们是减排的主体，是无条件的减排国，即遵循联合国相关减排原则。越来越多的国家和人口将会进入高HDI组。根据UNDP《2005年人类发展报告》，2003年处于高HDI组的国家和地区为57个，总人口为12.1亿，占世界总人口的 19.2%。也就是说，将会有越来越多的国家或地区承担无条件减排义务。

上中等HDI国（包括中国），共24.4亿人口，占世界总量的37.41%，他们应该成为全球减排的第二梯队，作为有条件减排国家。所谓有条件取决于该国 HDI指标与0.8之间的差距，差距越小减排份额就越高。当他们的HDI从该组进入到高HDI组（即大于0.8组），他们就会从有条件减排国变为无条件减排国，例如中国将从2005年HDI的0.777，到2010年将达到0.8就自动成为无条件减排国。

联合国应设立专门机构监督无条件减排国和有条件减排国的减排措施及效果，并定期公布。

对其他两组即下中等HDI国和低HDI国不做强制性减排义务规定，但应该倡导这些国家根据本国国情自愿实施减排。

第二大原则是污染排放大国减排主体原则。目前，世界前20名排放国占了世界排放总量的75%（表2）。他们既是世界污染排放的主体，也是世界减排的主体，一个国家排放量占世界比重愈高，它对世界减排的贡献比例也愈高。其减排根据其对世界污染排放的负外部性分摊减排额度，谁排放的多，谁就减排的义务或减排额度就高，首先是第一阵营，美国和中国应当带头减排，他们的排放量合计占世界总量的38.14%；其次是第二阵营，包括俄罗斯、印度、日本，他们的排放比重都超过4%，合计14.23%;再次是第三阵营，剩余的15个国家占世界排放总量的22.89%。这一原则类似动态变化的减排参与国地图，同时应该充分考虑该国HDI水平。在这20个大国中，14个国家属于高HDI组，属于无条件强制减排国；有5个国家属于上中等HDI组，属于有条件减排国；只有印度属于下中等HDI组，但作为世界第四大排放国，应当积极实施减排。当它进入上中等HDI组时，则相应属于有条件主动减排国。

需要指出的是，HDI四组分类可以作为未来全球范围内转移支付的重要原则，这包括高HDI国成为主要援助国和技术转让国；低HDI国直接获得ODA援助，免费或低费技术转移援助；下中等HDI国获得低利率国际金融组织贷款援助，低费技术转移援助；上中等HDI国获得技术转移援助。由于UNDP每年公开发布世界各国HDI数据，该数据并不只是针对某一国家，而是针对所有国家的，成为制定全球减排方案与经济援助的主要依据，既简单又透明。

上述两个原则可以作为全球减排的约束指标。一个国家减排多少，一是取决于它的发展阶段，这当中饱含了该国排放的存量、人均排放水平和历史责任，HDI是一个非常好的衡量指标，它也优于人均GDP的分组指标，应该作为主要的依据；二是取决于一个国家对全球排放的总量，流量和现实责任，前20名排放国直接影响全球减排目标和行动的实现，因此他们未来的减排额度与排放总量直接挂钩。我们考虑可以按照上述原则作为哥本哈根全球峰会（Global Summit）确定 2050年各国（主要是高人类发展和20个污染主要排放国）减排目标的路线图，明确区分不同国家类型，确定达成全球减排协议的责任和义务。

目前中国实施了最积极的节能减排政策，其目标极具挑战性，难度非常大。中国“十一五”规划（2006－2010）目标是5年内单位GDP能耗下降20%，即达到单位GDP能耗从1.22吨标准煤下降到0.97吨标准煤的水平。根据十五时期中国GDP增长速度，即便“ 十一五”期间中国GDP增长率平均按10％的速度增长，那么全国能源消费总量的年均增长速度不能超过5.2%。2006和2007两年的能源消费增长速度和GDP增长速度已经显示，这一调整幅度太大，不容易完成。相比之下，欧盟只承诺到2020年用15年的时间使单位GDP能耗下降20%。

但中国能源消耗与主要污染排放出现了拐点，开始下降，这为下一届政府奠定了基础。2006年提出单位国内生产总值能耗下降1.23%，2007年进一步下降3.2%，这是近几年来能耗首次下降；2007年两类主要污染物（二氧化硫与化学需氧量）的排放量也分别下降4.66%与3.14%。

一般来说，从政策的制订到实际效果显现需要较长时间。而由于存在基础设施惰性，从节能降耗政策措施的出台实际效果的显现需要一定时间，因此，“十一五”头两年未能完成预定目标也是正常的。

中国大幅度降低能耗是有历史借鉴的。中国在“六五”期间年均GDP能耗下降5.2%,“八五”年均下降5.7%,“九五”年均下降8.0%。因此，2008－2010年实现年均单位GDP 能耗降低5.4%的目标是可能的。需要指出的是，“十一五”期间中国的经济发展阶段、工业结构、城市化水平、贸易结构等与以往不同，这给节能减排带来很大难度。但“十一五”期间所面临的国际环境、政府政治意愿、经济投入和行政推动力也都是空前的。因此，“十一五”期间乃至今后的经济发展阶段，中国是有可能实现较低能耗目标的。

实际上，“十一五”期间降低能耗20％的目标已经不仅仅是一个经济目标，而且成为中国政府对世界和本国人民做出的政治承诺，它显示了中国政府推动节能减排，应对气候变化，发展低碳经济的政治意愿和决心。这一目标是中国迈向低碳经济之路的第一次大规模尝试，其政治意义远大于经济意义。

但中国在减排方面的国际政策并没有与世界同步。中国至今仍以发展中国家的资格，不承担具体减排任务，没有做出公开承诺，没有为全球减排协议的达成做出贡献。

如果公开对全世界做出减排承诺，并由中央政府设定减排的国家目标，将极大推动中国国内的减排进度。中国参与气候变化的国际谈判和全球治理，接受某些气候规则可以成为实现能源政策和环境政策良治的推动力和契机。更重要的是，严峻的气候变化形势将加剧各国在减排上的压力。不积极主动加入全球减排行列意味着选择一场公共资源战争，也是一场没有硝烟的黑色战争。

从长远来看，公开承诺减排与中国中央政府提出的科学发展观和建设生态文明的理念是一致的，其内涵、目标和过程也与保障国家能源安全、应对气候变化和建设资源节约型、环境友好型社会的内涵、目标和过程是一致的。

目前，全球减排的路线图已经非常明确，即：
•到2020 年 – 二氧化碳当量应达到峰值。
•到2030 年 – 年排放量应低于350 亿吨。
•到2050 年 – 年排放量应低于200 亿吨。

我认为，中国减排的路线图应当与全球路线图同步，并分为“三步走”或三个阶段：
•到2020 年 – 二氧化碳当量应达到峰值。
•到2030 年 – 年排放量应低于22亿吨。实现碳排放的大幅度下降，达到1990年的排放水平。
•到2050 年 – 年排放量应低于11亿吨。实现碳排放总量下降到1990年排放水平的一半。

中国是否公开承诺减排并公布减排路线图，涉及到中国未来长期发展的重大战略决策，其本质是中国国家利益是否与人类发展的利益相一致。

中国承担这样一个严肃性的减排任务涉及到两个问题：第一步是承诺，第二步才谈如何做。现在中国领导人的决策将为中国今后的发展指明方向。

1987年根据邓小平的指示，提出了“三步走” 的设想：“第一步，实现国民生产总值比1980年翻一番，解决人民的温饱问题。这个任务已经基本实现。第二步，到本世纪末，是国民生产总值再增长一倍，人民生活达到小康水平。第三步，到下个世纪中叶，人均国民生产总值达到中等发达国家水平，人民生活比较富裕，基本实现现代化。然后，在这个基础上继续前进 ”。现在看，三步走的目标基本实现，特别是小康目标已经基本达到。面对质疑，邓小平说，也许下一代比我们更聪明些，会找到实际解决的方法。

在这样的重大决策面前，中国现在的领导人应当向邓小平学习，明确国家发展的战略方向，相信后代比我们更聪明。在减排承诺问题上，现在的领导人在任至多10 年，不可能在任期内完成减排承诺，他也没必要做到。但是，他提出这个设想却是需要几代人不断的持续努力做到，他只需承诺就够了。

从1750年以来，世界进行了四次工业革命：第一次就是英国工业革命，中国失去了机会。第二次是十九世纪下半叶美国的工业革命，中国也同样失去了机会。第三次工业革命，是20世纪后半叶出现的信息革命。当时中国的领导人敏锐地认识到了这一重大历史变化，中国抓住了这次信息革命的重大机遇。

进入二十一世纪，人类迎来了第四次工业革命——绿色工业革命。可以说这一次全球减排，就是绿色工业革命的标志。如果说第一次、第二次工业革命我们失去了机会，第三次工业革命我们是追随者的话，我们希望这一次工业革命要成为领导者、创新者和驱动者，和美国和欧盟和日本站在同一起跑线上领导这场革命。

可以预见，今后中国发展的最大国际和国内背景就是气候变化。在这一背景下，中国领导人面临两大迫切问题：一是如何实现中国经济转型，即从高碳经济转向低碳经济；二是如何参与全球治理，即从国家治理转向地区治理、全球治理。

世界潮流，浩浩荡荡。顺之则昌，逆之则亡。中国现在的领导人要意识到这个历史的趋势，与世界同步，与人类同步。因此，中国的减排路线图就应当是世界的路线图。

目前不管是《京都议定书》，还是其他的巴厘岛路线图，基本把世界六十几亿人口、200多个国家简单分为两组：发展中国家和发达国家。这种划分方式给中国领导人一个错觉，即中国永远是发展中国家。实际上，中国并不是典型意义的发展中国家，它是不断前进的国家。下面的两大约束条件决定中国必须承担减排义务：

第一，中国的大部分人口已经处于高人类发展水平和中上人类发展水平，即第一世界和第二世界。二十多年前，中国绝大多数人口处于第三世界、第四世界水平。但根据2003年的数据，中国已经不是典型意义上的发展中国家，有1/5的人口进入所谓高人类发展水平，有3/4的人口开始进入到第二世界。我们根据HDI 四组分类对全国31个地区进行分析发现，中国的人类发展水平已经是一个国家，四个世界。也就是说，20多年来，中国的人类发展地区格局发生根本性变化，从主要集中在“第三世界”和“第四世界”转向集中在“第二世界”和“第一世界”。

我们估计，到2010年，全国约有42%的人口属于世界高人类发展水平组。到2020年，中国在人均GDP水平仅达到世界平均水平的条件下，HDI要达到 0.87-0.88，总体处于世界高人类发展水平组。这反映了中国发展模式最重要的特点：人均收入相对于发达国家的水平还比较低下，但人民生活达到世界较高的人类发展水平。从减排角度来看，中国更有能力来承担全球义务。

根据中国各省（自治区、直辖市）碳源与碳汇总量，可以计算出中国各地区的净碳源总量。(碳源是指向大气中释放二氧化碳的过程、活动或机制。碳汇则是从大气中清除二氧化碳的过程、活动或机制。) 其中第一阵营为浙江，辽宁，广东，江苏。这4个省的净碳源占全球净碳源总量的21.42%，并已经属于高人类发展地区，即第一世界，属于无条件减排地区。因此，这4个省不但应无条件减排，而且减排幅度要大大高于世界减排路线图。我们初步的设想是，作为高人类发展水平和高净碳源地区，这些省份的减排路线图应当更加激进：即，

•第一阶段：争取在2012年之前，碳排放进入高峰期。

•第二阶段：2020年之后，实现碳排放的大幅度下降，达到1990年的排放水平。

•第三阶段：到2030年，实现碳排放总量下降到1990年排放水平的一半。

上海，北京，天津三个直辖市的净碳源占全国净碳源总量的5.78%，也属于高人类发展水平地区，因此他们的减排路线图应当与世界减排路线图同步，他们也应当属于减排的第一阵营。

第二阵营为河北，山东，山西，河南，湖北，湖南，这六个省的净碳源占全国净碳源总量的48.89%，属于高排放地区。但他们属于上中等人类发展水平地区，属于有条件减排地区，其减排幅度取决与他们与全国平均净碳源水平的差距，也取决与该省HDI与0.8的差距。

第三阵营为云南，青海，西藏。这三个省的净碳源为负，即负排放地区。其净碳源绝对值占其他省市区净碳源总量的2.23%，他们应该获得其他各省的生态补偿。

剩余的十五各省市区，除贵州外为第四阵营，属于上中等发展水平地区，属于有条件减排地区。当他们的HDI从该组进入到高HDI组（即大于0.8组），他们就会从有条件减排地区变为无条件减排地区。

根据斯特恩报告的数据，2005 年人均年排放量为7 吨。发达经济体的人均年排放量从日本的10 吨至美国的22 吨不等。发展中国家的人均年排放量则从最贫困国家的极小数值到印度的2 吨，再到中国的6 吨。鉴于以上情况及假定世界人口增长到90 亿，到2050 年世界的人均年排放量应为2吨。

世界银行2008的最新数据显示，中国的人均年碳排放量在1990、2000、2006年分别为2.1、2.6、3.9吨，全世界人均年碳排放量分别为 4.1、4.0、4.3吨。按照中国的减排路线图，中国非常有希望在2020年达到人均排放量的高峰。假定中国人口在2050年达到14亿的水平，那么中国的人均年碳排放量有希望在在2050年达到1990年2吨左右，甚至更低。

中国必须承担减排义务的第二个原因是，中国已是世界第二大CO2排放国，属于污染排放大国。根据UNDP的数据，中国2004年CO2排放总量占全世界的 17.28%。根据国际能源署（IEA）的计算，到2030年，中国将达到世界总量的27.32%，成为第一大排放国。目前中国已经是世界第一大人口国、第三大经济总量国，但也是第一大煤炭消费国、SO2排放国，第二大能源消费国、CO2排放国。G8+5国家中，中国与美国是世界两个最大排放国。无论从哪个角度来说，中国都已经成为世界上最大的排放国之一，因此中国有责任承担减排义务。

我们从以上两方面可以清楚说明，中国必须承担它的义务。现在的领导人没有意识到这一点，是因为他们没有这些信息来充分考量。目前中国关于气候变化的对外政策决策是信息不对称下的决策。如果领导人对气候变化的危害和中国的国家定位更加清晰，那么中国到底在这个问题上承担什么样的责任就会更清晰。如果中国不能明确自己的责任，目光短浅，不在哥本哈根大会上做出承诺减少温室气体排放，印度当然也不会做出承诺。排放总量占全球20%的两个国家都没有承诺，欧盟国家的努力无济于事。

结语：推动全球减排协议达成，为世界做出绿色贡献

改革开放以来中国已经对对人类发展做出了三方面的重大贡献：对全球经济增长的贡献；对全球贸易增长的贡献；对世界减少贫困人口的贡献。这三大贡献已为世界承认，特别是减贫贡献。

2007年，胡锦涛主席提到2020 年的中国定位为“成为对外更加开放、更加具有亲和力、为人类文明做出更大贡献的国家”。今后几十年中国还需要对人类发展做出两大新贡献，一个是绿色贡献，一个是知识贡献。绿色贡献将是中国在二十一世纪对人类的最大贡献。中国应在发展中国家率先削减温室气体排放量，成为世界最大的新增森林吸碳汇国家，公布减排路线图，并努力到2050年将其碳排放量削减到1990年水平的一半。

从短期看，中国领导人应当充分利用哥本哈根全球气候变化大会的窗口机会，尽快承诺中国的减排义务，公布中国减排路线图，促成全球减排协议的达成，成为全球气候治理的领导者之一。

从长期看，中国领导人应当以人类利益的高度和长远的眼光审视低碳经济的发展和中国的减排义务，领导国家实现经济转型和治理转型，为人类发展做出绿色贡献。


胡鞍钢是中国著名经济学家，任中国科学院和清华大学教授、国情研究中心主任，是一流的政策智库成员。他同时任供政府高级官员阅读的参考刊物《中国国情研究报告》主编。

The Green Business Times Guide to 30 Singapore Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment

http://www.greenbusinesstimes.com/2009/08/06/the-green-business-times-guide-to-30-singapore-government-funding-and-incentives-for-the-environment/



Singapore is well-known as a clean and green city with the government striving for environmental sustainability while growing the economy. The government has also identified Environmental and Water Technologies (EWT) including Clean Energy as strategic areas where Singapore has a competitive edge and which could generate future economic growth.

To accelerate the growth of the environmental industry and to maintain Singapore’s image as a clean and green city, the government has initiated several funding and incentive schemes related to energy efficiency, clean energy, green buildings, water and environmental technologies, green transport, waste minimisation, environmental management system, environmental initiatives, clean development mechanism, and green IT.

The funding and incentive schemes are provided by government agencies such as:

* singapore-currencyBuilding and Construction Authority (BCA)
* Economic Development Board (EDB)
* Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)
* Land Transport Authority (LTA)
* National Environment Agency (NEA)
* National Parks Board (NParks)
* PUB, the national water agency (PUB)
* SPRING Singapore (SPRING)
* Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

To help businesses understand what’s available, we have compiled a list of 30 government funding and incentives for the environment:

1. Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe)
2. Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET)
3. Accelerated Depreciation Tax Allowance
4. Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE)
5. SCEM Training Grant
6. Clean Energy Research and Testbedding Programme (CERT)
7. Clean Energy Research Programme (CERP)
8. Solar Capability Scheme (SCS)
9. Market Development Fund
10. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings (GMIS-EB)
11. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for New Buildings (GMIS-NB)
12. Green Mark Gross Floor Area Incentive Scheme (GM-GFA)
13. MND Research Fund for the Built Environment
14. Pilot Incentive Scheme for Green Roofs
15. Gross Floor Area Incentives for Outdoor Refreshment Area on Rooftops
16. Water Efficiency Fund (WEF)
17. Fast-Track Environmental and Water Technologies Incubator Scheme (Fast-Tech)
18. Technology Pioneer (TechPioneer) Scheme
19. Incentive for Research and Innovation Scheme (IRIS)
20. Environmental Technology Capability Development Programme (EnviroTech CDP)
21. Innovation Voucher Scheme
22. Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (IES) Fund
23. Land Transport Innovation Fund (LTIF)
24. Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR)
25. 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Fund
26. Environment Technology Research Programme (ETRP)
27. Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme (LETAS)
28. 3P Partnership Fund
29. Clean Development Mechanism Documentation Grant
30. Infocomm Leadership and Development Programme (iLEAD)

If we missed out any funding or incentive scheme, do let us know. Thanks!
Energy Efficiency

1. Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe)

NEA provides a co-funding scheme called the Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe), to help companies in the manufacturing and building sectors engage accredited Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) to conduct energy audits and recommend energy saving measures. Funding is provided up to 50% of the qualifying costs of engaging an ESCO and capped at $200,000 for a single facility or building over a five-year period.

2. Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET)

energy-efficiencyThe Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET) by NEA provides funding for the Singapore-registered owner or operator of existing or proposed industrial facilities to invest in energy efficient equipment or technologies. Funding is provided up to 50% of the qualifying costs and capped at $2 million per project. Only projects with a payback of more than 3 years and up to 7 years are eligible for funding.

3. Accelerated Depreciation Tax Allowance

The Accelerated Depreciation Tax Allowance scheme by NEA encourages companies to replace old inefficient equipment and invest in energy saving equipment. The capital expenditure on the qualifying energy efficient equipment can be written off in one year instead of three.

4. Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE)

The Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE) by NEA aims to encourage new facilities that are large consumers of energy to integrate energy and resource efficiency improvements into their development plans early in the design stage. Funding is provided up to 80% of the qualifying costs or $600,000, whichever is lower.

5. SCEM Training Grant

The Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) Programme offers training and certification in energy management, and is for engineering professionals to develop the technical skills and competence to become the Energy Managers of their organisations. The SCEM Training Grant is a co-funding scheme by NEA to fund the training cost at the Professional Level SCEM Programme. Successful grant applicants only pay a subsidised course fee of S$963 instead of the full course fee of S$5,885.
Clean Energy

6. Clean Energy Research and Testbedding Programme (CERT)

The Clean Energy Research and Testbedding Programme (CERT) by the Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO) and managed by EDB, is a $17 million funding initiative for local and foreign companies and organisations to test and implement clean energy technologies at suitable sites. CERT involves three key partners: the R&D organisations, the technology providers, and the implementers. These three partners are involve in the following areas (obtained from the CERT press release):

The R&D organisations will lead and conduct testbedding activities, while the technology providers will be private sector companies providing the Clean Energy equipment and technologies to participate in the testbedding. Government agencies which are providing the testbedding location and facilitating the project are the implementers.

7. Clean Energy Research Programme (CERP)

solarparkThe Clean Energy Research Programme (CERP) by the National Research Foundation (NRF) is a $50 million funding initiative for Institutes of Higher Learning, public sector agencies, private companies based in Singapore, and not-for-profit research laboratories, to conduct research and development projects in clean energy. The R&D projects are submitted based on calls for proposals in domains specified by the Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO). Funding support is up to 70% or 100% of approved direct qualifying costs of a project.

8. Solar Capability Scheme (SCS)

Under the Solar Capability Scheme (SCS), EDB provides funding for new private buildings to install solar technologies. The building must be certified with minimum Green Mark Gold rating by BCA, and the minimum solar system installed should be 10 kWp. The funding provided is between 30% to 40% of the total capital cost and capped at $1 million.

9. Market Development Fund

The Market Development Fund is a $5 million funding initiative by the Energy Market Authority to help in the test-bedding of new electricity generation technologies such as solar, wind, hydrogen and fuel cell, which has significant potential and value in the electricity market.
Green Buildings

10. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings (GMIS-EB)

The government recently announced in the Sustainable Singapore blueprint that it has set a target for 80% of the existing building stock to achieve at least Green Mark Certified rating by 2030. A $100 million Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings (GMIS-EB) was set up by BCA to encourage private building owners of existing buildings to undertake improvements in energy efficiency. The scheme provides a cash incentive that co-funds up to 35% of the costs for energy efficiency improvements and capped at $1.5 million.

11. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for New Buildings (GMIS-NB)

green-buildingThe enhanced $20 million Green Mark Incentive Scheme for New Buildings (GMIS-NB) by BCA is to accelerate the adoption of green building technologies and design practices. The enhanced scheme provides cash incentives to developers, building owners, project architects and M&E engineers, who achieve at least a BCA Green Mark Gold rating in the design and construction of new buildings.

12. Green Mark Gross Floor Area Incentive Scheme (GM-GFA)

The Green Mark Gross Floor Area Incentive Scheme (GM-GFA) by BCA and URA is to encourage the private sector to develop buildings that attain the higher Green Mark ratings. URA will grant additional floor area over and above the Master Plan Gross Plot Ratio (GPR) control, up to 1% for Green Mark Gold Plus developments and up to 2% for Green Mark Platinum developments, and subject to a cap of 2,500 sqm for Gold Plus and 5,000 sqm for Platinum.

13. MND Research Fund for the Built Environment

The MND Research Fund for the Built Environment is a $50 million funding initiative by the Ministry of National Development (MND) and managed by BCA. The objective of the fund is:

To encourage and support applied R&D that will raise the quality of life and make Singapore a distinctive global city

Under the MND Research Fund, some key focus areas include sustainable development projects such as integrating solar technologies into building facades. The fund covers 30% to 75% of the qualifying cost of the project, subject to a cap of $2 million.

14. Pilot Incentive Scheme for Green Roofs

The Pilot Incentive Scheme for Green Roofs by NParks will start in September 2009 to encourage existing building owners to green their rooftops. The scheme will pilot in the Downtown and Orchard Planning areas, and target low to mid-rise buildings that are highly visible and buildings with low level of street-level greenery. Funding is provided up to 50% of the cost of installation of the green roofs.

15. Gross Floor Area Incentives for Outdoor Refreshment Area on Rooftops

The Gross Floor Area Incentives for Outdoor Refreshment Area on Rooftops by URA complements NParks’ Pilot Incentive Scheme for Green Roofs. URA will grant existing buildings within the Orchard and Downtown Core planning areas additional gross floor area (GFA), beyond the Master Plan permissible Gross Plot Ratio (GPR), to be used for an outdoor refreshment area (ORA) on the rooftop if development owners introduce rooftop landscaping. The incentive scheme provides bonus GFA of up to 200 sqm or 50% of the roof space for ORA use.
Water and Environmental Technologies

16. Water Efficiency Fund (WEF)

The Water Efficiency Fund (WEF) by PUB encourages companies to be more efficient in managing their water demand or promote water conservation in the community. For feasibility studies, PUB will co-fund 50% of the study cost, subject to a cap of $50,000. For water audits, PUB will co-fund 50% of the water audit cost, subject to a cap of $5,000. For community campaigns and programmes, PUB will co-fund 50% of organising the programme, subject to a cap of $5000. Funding is also available for water recycling efforts and use of alternative source of water.

17. Fast-Track Environmental and Water Technologies Incubator Scheme (Fast-Tech)

pub-exhibitThe Fast-Track Environmental and Water Technologies Incubator Scheme (Fast-Tech) is an initiative by the Environmental and Water Industry Development Council (EWI) and managed by EDB. The Fast-Tech scheme aims to grow environmental and water start-ups by providing financial incentives and mentoring by specialized incubators. Funding is provided up to $500,000 per company or up to 85% of qualifying costs, over two years.

18. Technology Pioneer (TechPioneer) Scheme

The Technology Pioneer (TechPioneer) Scheme by the Environmental and Water Industry Development Council (EWI) aims to accelerate the commercialization of new environment and water technologies by bringing together both technology vendors and users to apply jointly under this scheme. Funding is provided up to $2 million or 30% of total qualifying costs for a technology user.

19. Incentive for Research and Innovation Scheme (IRIS)

The Incentive for Research and Innovation Scheme (IRIS) by the Environmental and Water Industry Development Council (EWI) funds Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), Research Institutes and Singapore companies to research and develop new environmental and water technologies (EWT) that lead to significant and sustainable growth opportunities in the EWT industry. Funding is provided up to 100% for IHLs, public sector agencies and non-profit research entities, and up to 70% for companies and for-profit research entities.

20. Environmental Technology Capability Development Programme (EnviroTech CDP)

The Environmental Technology Capability Development Programme (EnviroTech CDP) by SPRING helps local environmental small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their enterprise competitiveness and industry innovation. The EnviroTech CDP covers applied research, product development and commercialisation. Funding is provided for a portion of the project qualifying costs, which include manpower, equipment, materials, and professional services.

21. Innovation Voucher Scheme

The Innovation Voucher Scheme (IVS) by SPRING aims to encourage local SMEs to work with public Knowledge Institutions (KI) like the Centres of Innovation (COIs) to test new technology and innovative ideas. All SMEs can apply for an innovation voucher worth S$5,000 from SPRING, which can be redeemed at participating KIs such as the Centre of Innovation in Environmental and Water Technology (EWT COI) in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, for advice and to develop new products and processes.

22. Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (IES) Fund

The Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (IES) Fund is managed by NEA and helps companies to implement innovative environmental projects. The proposed project must have strong innovation and early adoption elements, and help Singapore meet its goal of environmental sustainability. The IES Fund provides funding to cover some of the qualifying cost of the project, up to a maximum of $2 million.
Green Transport

23. Land Transport Innovation Fund (LTIF)

The $50 million Land Transport Innovation Fund (LTIF) by LTA encourages research initiatives in land transport research and pilot trials for a more viable and sustainable land transport system. Funding is provided up to 90% of the total project cost and capped at $1 million per project.

24. Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR)

Owners of new hybrid, electric and CNG vehicles will enjoy the Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) till 31 Dec 2011. The rebate is equivalent to 40% (for passenger vehicles) or 5% (for buses and commercial vehicles) of the vehicle’s Open Market Value (OMV) that can be used to offset the Additional Registration Fee (ARF) payable at registration.
Waste Minimisation

25. 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Fund

The 3R Fund by NEA is a $8 million co-funding scheme to encourage organisations to implement waste minimisation and recycling projects. Funding is provided up to 80% of the qualifying costs and subject to a cap of $1 million per project, and depends on the quantity and type of waste reduced or recycled.

26. Environment Technology Research Programme (ETRP)

The Environment Technology Research Programme (ETRP) is a new $15 million seed funding programme by the Environmental and Water Industry Development Council (EWI) and NEA to build up technological competencies and support companies and researchers in waste management.

The ETRP awards grants to R&D projects on waste management such as energy recovery, materials recovery and special waste treatment, and is open to researchers from Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), public sector agencies, not-for-profit research organizations and Singapore-registered companies. The maximum funding for each project is up to $2 million and for a maximum of 3 years.
Environmental Management System

27. Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme (LETAS)

The Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme (LETAS) by SPRING helps SMEs to engage an external consultant to implement quality management and IT systems, including the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard. Funding is provided up to 50% of consultancy cost, subject to a maximum grant cap of $5,000.
Environmental Initiatives

28. 3P Partnership Fund

The 3P Partnership Fund by NEA aims to encourage organisations, companies and individuals from the People, Private and Public (3P) sectors to work together to develop environmental initiatives and promote environmental ownership. First-time applicants would receive no more than 50% of the eligible costs, while for other applicants, the Evaluation Panel will determine the grant to be offered based on the merits of the submission.
Clean Development Mechanism

29. Clean Development Mechanism Documentation Grant

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Documentation Grant by NEA encourages companies to develop CDM projects in Singapore. Funding is provided up to 50% of the qualifying cost of engaging a carbon consultant to develop a new methodology and Project Design Document (PDD), or only up to 30% if the carbon consultant develops a PDD using an existing approved methodology. The maximum amount of funding for a CDM project is capped at $100,000.
Green IT

30. Infocomm Leadership and Development Programme (iLEAD)

The Infocomm Leadership and Development Programme (iLEAD) is a new manpower development initiative by IDA to develop the knowledge and capabilities of infocomm professionals in niche technology areas, including Green IT (Virtualisation, Data Centre Architecture).

Companies can tap on iLEAD to build up the capabilities of their employees and new trainees in niche technology areas such as Green IT via local and overseas work attachments and specialised professional courses. IDA will provide training grants and co-fund airfare and living allowances for overseas attachments.

Image credit: TALUDA; Energy Label via E2 Singapore.

Carbon offset Glossary

A
A/R Projects
Afforestation and Reforestation Projects
AAUs
Assigned Amount Units. The emissions units are allocated to developed countries based on their Kyoto Protocol target and can be traded. One AAU equals one tonne of CO2e.
ABARE
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, is a government economic research agency which provides independent research and forecasting on numerous specialised areas, including the quality of the Australian environment. For more information, see here.
Abatement
Adjustments within communities and ecosystems to cope with changing climate conditions. Examples include; the construction of flood walls to protect property from stronger storms and heavier precipitation, or the planting of agricultural crops and trees more suited to warmer temperatures and drier soil conditions.
ACCC
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. An independent Commonwealth statutory authority formed in 1995 to administer the Trade Practices Act 1974 and other acts. The ACCC promotes competition and fair trade in the market place to benefit consumers, business and the community. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with the Commonwealth competition, fair trading and consumer protection laws.
Adaptation
Actions taken to help communities and ecosystems cope with changing climate conditions, such as the construction of flood walls to protect property from stronger storms and heavier precipitation, or the planting of agricultural crops and trees more suited to warmer temperatures and drier soil conditions.
Additionality
To be a robust offset, a project must be proven to be 'additional' to what would have occurred anyway. Additionality has 3 main components:
- financial additionality where the project needs to go beyond business as usual practice,
- regulatory additionality where the project needs to go beyond existing legal requirements, and
- environmental additionality where the emission reductions cannot be counted toward another emission reduction scheme or commitment.
Afforestation
The direct human-induced conversion of land that has not been forested for a period of at least 50 years to forested land through planting, seeding and/or the human-induced promotion of natural seed.
AGO
The Australian Greenhouse Office has now been incorporated into the Department of Climate Change.
AGO Factors and Methods Workbook
The workbook has now been updated and replaced by the National Greenhouse Accounts Factors. For more information, see here.
AGO GF
'Australian Greenhouse Office Greenhouse Friendly' Abatement Program was launched in 2001 and now forms part of the Australian Government's Greenhouse Challenge Plus programme. It provides businesses and consumers with the opportunity to sell and purchase greenhouse neutral products and services and broaden the basis for investment in additional greenhouse gas abatement. For more information, see here.
Anthropogenic emissions
Greenhouse-gas emissions resulting from human activities. Anthropogenic sources of greenhouse gases include industry, agriculture, mining, transportation, construction, and deforestation.
AP7 (formerly AP6)
Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate sets up a non-binding partnership between the governments of Australia, People's Republic of China, India, Japan, South Korea, Canada and the United States. The partnership sets out a voluntary framework for action, which encourages cooperation between member parties and the private sector to develop and implement clean energy technologies.
Australia's National Greenhouse Accounts
A comprehensive set of reports outlining Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Further information is available at: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/inventory/
Australian Standard 4978
This standard provides a common approach to determining how much carbon a given area of forest can be expected to remove from the atmosphere, taking account of the species of tree, how densely the trees are planted and a number of other factors. top
B
Biodegradable materials
Materials capable of being broken down rapidly by living organisms such as bacteria and fungi. This natural process of decay usually makes the materials harmless in a relatively short period of time. Food, sewage and most natural organic substances are biodegradable but manufactured materials such as glass, heavy metals and most types of plastic are not biodegradable.
Biofuels
Biofuels are renewable fuels made from biomass that can be used to supplement or replace the fossil fuels (such as petroleum and diesel) used in transport. The two main biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol is produced from the fermentation of sugar or starch in crops such as corn and sugar cane. Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils in crops such as soybean, or from animal fats.
Biomass
Biomass is non-fossilized and organic biodegradable material that can be used as fuel or for industrial production. Most commonly, biomass refers to plant matter grown for use as Biofuels, but it also includes plant or animal matter used for production of fibres, chemicals or heat. Biomass may also include biodegradable wastes that can be burnt as fuel.
Broker
A broker is an intermediary, who buys and sells carbon offsets on behalf of clients.
Bundled offsets
Bundled offsets are emissions that do not come from one single project but are a collection of offsets from various projects. The bundles are sometimes from a mixture of accreditation schemes and types. top
C
Call option
A call option is a financial contract between two parties, the buyer and the seller of an abatement option. It is the option to buy abatement at a specified time in the future. The buyer of the option has the right, but not the obligation to buy an agreed quantity of abatement from the seller of the option at a certain time for a certain price (the strike price). The seller (or "writer") is obligated to sell the commodity (e.g. carbon offsets). The buyer pays a fee (called a premium) for this right.
Cap and Trade
A term used to describe an emissions trading system, where total emissions are limited or 'capped'. Permits are issued up to that cap, and a market allows those participants emitting less than the quota to sell their excess permits to emitters needing to buy extra permits to meet their quota.
Carbon (natural) Sequestration
Carbon (natural) sequestration refers to the long-term storage of carbon in forests and vegetation, soils or in the oceans.
Carbon Calculation
A method of calculating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced in a certain time frame from an activity. Carbon calculation can be done for anything from one car journey to a whole business or industry. There are a number of different calculation methods used in the carbon offset market.
Carbon credit
A generic term to assign a value to an emission, reduction or offset of greenhouse gas emissions. A carbon credit usually is equivalent to one tonne of CO2e.
Carbon cycle
Carbon, in various forms, continuously circulates between the living world, the atmosphere, oceans and the Earth's crust. There are many different processes by which carbon is exchanged between these locations, which are collectively referred to as the carbon cycle.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
A greenhouse gas that is produced as a by-product of oil and gas production, burning fossil fuels and biomass, as well as from all animals, plants, and a number of other natural sources. Carbon dioxide is the principal anthropogenic greenhouse gas that affects the earth’s temperature.
Carbon footprint
A measure of the greenhouse gas emissions attributable to an activity; it is commonly used at an individual, household or business level. It calculates the direct and indirect amount of CO2-e emissions produced.
Carbon Innovators Network
EPA Victoria set up this forum for organisations that want to address the strategic and practical issues of greenhouse gas emissions. The network aims to stimulate debate and innovation in carbon management, provide the support and tools organisations need to develop sound carbon management strategies, and transform climate change from a business cost to a business opportunity. Find out more about the Carbon Innovators Network here.
Carbon Management Principles
A set of Principles developed by EPA Victoria to guide carbon management strategies. They are, in order: Measure, Set objectives, Avoid, Reduce, Switch, Sequester, Assess and Offset. Find out more about the carbon management principles here.
Carbon neutral
A voluntary mechanism where an activity, event, household, business or organisation is responsible for no net emissions of greenhouse gases and can therefore be declared carbon neutral in that specific area. Carbon neutrality can be achieved by reducing emissions as far as possible (e.g. energy efficiency, purchasing renewable energy) and then purchasing offsets for any residual emissions in order to achieve zero net emissions.
Carbon offset
A carbon offset is an investment in a project or activity that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or sequesters carbon from the atmosphere that is used to compensate for GHG emissions from your own activities. For more information see here.
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS)
Australia's cap and trade scheme which will come in to effect in 2010. The CPRS will place a limit, or cap, on the amount of carbon pollution industry can emit and allow trading of carbon credits. It will concentrate on the biggest polluters, by placing obligations on around 1000 Australian companies in total. However it will effect all Australians through indirect price increases.
Carbon price
An economic value placed on the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere from human activity. This price is designed to create an incentive to avoid emitting. A carbon price is usually derived from either a carbon tax or a price under an ETS.
Carbon tax
A tax on greenhouse gas emissions that leads to a carbon price.
Carbon Trading
A term used to describe an ETS involving greenhouse gas emissions.
CCB Standards
The standard focuses exclusively on bio-sequestration (forestry) projects and emphasizes the social and environmental benefits of such projects. CCBS is a project design standard and offers rules and guidance for project design and development. For more information, see here.
CCS
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) or geosequestration involves capture, transport, injection and long-term storage of GHGs in underground geological formations for the primary purpose of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
CCX
Chicago Climate Exchange is a US-based financial institution that operates a voluntary carbon trading programme. Find out more here.
CDM
Clean Development Mechanism is a Kyoto Protocol mechanism under which projects set up in developing countries to reduce GHGs generate tradeable credits called CERs. The credits can be used by industrialised nations to help meet their Kyoto reduction targets. Find out more here.
CERs
Certified Emission Reductions are credits generated under Kyoto's CDM. One CER unit is equivalent to the reduction of one metric tonne of CO2e. They are designed to be used by industrialised countries to count towards meeting their Kyoto targets. They can also be used as part of domestic targets, for example EU companies and governments use them as offsets against their emissions under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
CFL
Compact fluorescent lamps use less power and have a longer rated life than incandescent light bulbs and therefore use less energy across their lifecycle.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's)
Chemical substances containing carbon and fluorine. Prior to 1990 these were used widely in a range of technologies, such as a propellant gas for sprays and refrigeration. They can deplete the ozone layer and also contribute to global warming.
Clean coal
Refers to types or aspects of coal-fired electricity production, which is purported to have a reduced impact on the environment. For example flue gases can be treated with steam with the purpose of removing sulfur dioxide, and reburned so as to make the carbon dioxide in the flue gas economically recoverable.
CO2e
Carbon dioxide equivalent. In order to compare emissions between the six Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gases they have been assigned a global warming potential (GWP) measured in carbon dioxide equivalents to reflect their influence on warming the atmosphere. GWP is a relative scale, where CO2 = 1. The other gases are given a number based on their effect on the atmosphere relative to CO2. For example, methane has a GWP of 21, meaning it has 21 times the amount of heating capacity of CO2.
Coal seam gas (CSG)
Occurring naturally within coal deposits, this gas is largely composed of methane, which is also the principal component of natural gas.
Composting
The natural biological decomposition of solid organic wastes such as food scraps, paper and lawn clippings, creating a soil-like substance called humus, which can be used instead of artificial fertilisers. The decomposition process produces methane and carbon dioxide, therefore when composting occurs in controlled areas these greenhouse gases can be prevented from entering the atmosphere. Composting also reduces the amount of waste going to landfill.
CRS
Origin Energy's Carbon Reduction Scheme is an offsetting scheme that draws upon existing mandatory and voluntary frameworks. For more information see here. top
D
DEFRA
UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. For more information see here.
Double counting
Double counting can happen when two or more businesses claim the same emissions reduction. This can happen if an offset is sold to two or more entities, or when an entity upstream of the project unknowingly claims the reduction as its own. The establishment of protocols, and the use of an offsets registry can ensure offsets are adequately accounted for.
Double selling
Double selling occurs when a carbon offset is either sold by the producer and or retailer to more than one buyer. Therefore the emission reductions do not account for the total amount of emissions reductions the buyers have paid for. top
E
Emissions Reductions
A measurable reduction in the level of greenhouse gases being emitted by a country, state, organisation or individual.
Emissions Trading
Usually means an ETS. In relation to the Kyoto Protocol, Annex I countries can trade emissions reduction credits in order to comply with their Kyoto-assigned targets. (See also ETS.)
Energy efficiency (EE)
Energy efficiency improvements refer to a reduction in the energy used for a given service (heating, lighting, etc.) or level of activity. Such savings are generally achieved by substituting technologically more advanced equipment to produce the same level of end-use services (e.g. lighting, heating, motor drive) with less electricity.
Energy Saver Incentive Scheme
Energy Saver Incentive is the public name for the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET)
EPA Victoria
Environment Protection Authority Victoria. For more information see here.
ERU
An Emission Reduction Unit is a Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric tonne of CO2e. ERUs are generated from activities to reduce greenhouse emissions from the joint implementation mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol.
ETS
An ETS is an organised system of emissions trading that can be applied within businesses, states, countries and also internationally. Through an ETS an organisation is allocated an allowance for the amount of greenhouse gases it is permitted to produce. These systems allow those who reduce emissions beyond their obligations to sell their excess emission capacity to others within the ETS who are unable to meet their own emission reduction targets. There are two broad types of emissions trading schemes, cap and trade and baseline and credit.
Exercise price
Generally refers to a fixed price in a contract between two parties. Where the contract requires delivery of the abatement, the trade will be at the exercise price, regardless of the spot price (market price) at that time. See also strike price. top
F
Forward contract
A forward contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset (e.g. carbon offsets) at a specified point of time in the future. The price of the abatement is paid before the asset changes hands.
Forward crediting
The buyer pays for and receives a certain number of offsets for emissions reductions or sequestration that will occur in the future. See also Forward sell.
Forward delivery
The buyer pays the purchase price for a certain number of offsets that have yet to be produced. The offsets will be delivered to the buyer once they have been realised and verified.
Forward price
The forward price (or sometimes forward rate) is the agreed upon price of an asset (e.g. carbon offsets) in a forward contract.
Forward purchases
The buyer invests the money upfront but does not get the credits until they are actually produced. These are long-term commitments that are predominantly done on a large scale.
Forward rate
The forward rate (or forward price) is the agreed upon price of an asset (e.g. carbon offsets) in a forward contract.
Forward sell
The sale of carbon offsets for emissions reductions or sequestration that have not yet occurred and therefore can not be precisely measured.
Fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy formed from fossilised organic matter. Coal, oil and natural gas are the most widely used fossil fuels in energy production. Most of Australia's primary energy is derived from fossil fuels.
Fugitive emissions
Fugitive greenhouse gas emissions are waste or loss in the process of fuel production, storage, or transport, such as methane given off during oil and gas drilling and refining, or leakage of natural gas from pipelines.
Full fuel cycle emissions factors
Gives the quantity of emissions released per unit of energy for the entire fuel production and consumption chain. This term is used in the National Greenhouse Accounts Factors but is not used in the GHG Protocol.
Fungibility
In relation to carbon offsets, fungibility is the interchangeability of a carbon credit or permit between certification schemes or programs.
Futures contract
A futures contract is a standardized contract, to buy or sell a specified commodity (e.g. carbon offsets) at a certain date in the future, at a market determined price (the futures price). A futures contract gives the holder the obligation to make or take delivery under the terms of the contract, whereas an option grants the buyer the right, but not the obligation.
Futures exchange
A central financial exchange where people can trade standardized futures contracts; that is, a contract to buy specific quantities of a commodity (e.g. carbon offsets) at a specified price with delivery set at a specified time in the future. top
G
Geosequestration
Also known as carbon capture and storage (CCS), geosequestration is the process of capture, transport, injection and long-term storage of CO2 in underground geological formations for the primary purpose of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
GF
See AGO GF
GGAS
See The NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme
GHG (Greenhouse Gases)
Greenhouse Gases in the earth's atmosphere absorb and re-emit infrared radiation. The Kyoto Protocol lists six major greenhouse gases, which vary in their relative warming effect. The six gases are: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), PFCs (perfluorocarbons) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
GHG Protocol
See WRI / WBCSD GHG Protocol
Gold Standard
A certification standard for carbon offset projects. Initiated by WWF, SSN and Helio International, the Gold Standard for CDM projects was launched in 2003 after wide-ranging stakeholder consultation among key actors of the carbon market as well as governments. For more information see here.
Gold Standard VER
Is a certification standard for carbon offset projects, specifically aimed at small scale projects. (See Gold Standard above). For more information see here.
Greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect is a term that describes how natural gases in the earth's atmosphere allow the infrared radiation in to warm the earth's surface, but also prevent much of the heat escaping from the earth into the atmosphere. The problem we now face is that human actions are increasing the concentrations of these gases, creating the prospect of global climate change.
GreenPower standard
An accreditation standard for Australian renewable energy operated collaboratively by Australian governments. To be eligible for the GreenPower Standard a company must demonstrate that the renewable energy sources meet strict environmental standards and comes from a new renewable energy facility that was built since January 1997. Renewable resources eligible for the GreenPower Standard include solar power, wind, biomass, hydro-electric power, geothermal energy and wave and tidal power. For more information, see here.
GS
Global Sustainability @ RMIT University. For more information see here.
GWP
Global warming potential (GWP) measured in CO2e, is the potency of greenhouse gases, meaning their ability to trap heat in the atmosphere, through the difference in time greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere, and their effectiveness in absorbing outgoing infrared radiation. The GWP is a numerical measure relative to carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas. So carbon dioxide itself has a GWP of 1 and, for example, methane has a GWP of 21. top
H
Hedge
In finance, a hedge is a position established in one market in an attempt to balance exposure to the price risk another obligation.
Hedging
Hedging is a strategy designed to minimize exposure to such business risks as changing prices for commodities (e.g. carbon offsets).
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Major releases of HFCs are from leakage from refrigeration equipment during operation and its end-of-life destruction. Minor releases arise from the use of HFC-containing aerosols, air conditioners and metered dose inhalers.HFCs have very high global warming potentials (140 to 11,700 times that of carbon dioxide). top
I
IPART
Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of New South Wales is an independent body that oversees regulation in the water, gas, electricity and public transport industries in NSW.
IPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is an international scientific panel which informs the UNFCCC approximately every 5 years with the latest scientific, technical and socio-economic evidence on climate change. With representatives from 130 nations it is the world's pre-eminent scientific advisory body on climate change.
ISO 14000
ISO 14000 is a set of international standards, which provide a framework for the development of an environmental management system (EMS) and supporting audit programs. The ISO 14000 series are intended to help organisations comply with applicable laws, regulations and requirements and to continually improve on their environmental performance.
ISO 14064
A global GHG accounting, reporting and verification standard. The goal of the standard is to 'provide a set of unambiguous and verifiable requirements or specifications to support organisations and proponents of GHG emissions reductions projects.'
ISO 9001 and 14001
ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environment) are "generic management system standards". ISO 9001 contains a generic set of requirements for implementing a quality management system and ISO 14001 for an EMS. These two standards can be applied to any organisation.
ISO14065
ISO 14065 defines requirements for companies performing greenhouse gas validation and verification. The standard provides assessing organisations with a basis for assessing the competence of validation and verification companies.
ITL
International Transaction Log is a centralized database of all tradable credits under the Kyoto Protocol, and is the application that verifies all international transactions and their compliance with Kyoto rules and policies. top
J
JI
The Kyoto Protocol Joint Implementation mechanism allows developed countries to earn credits in the form of Emission Reduction Units (ERUs) when they finance projects that reduce net greenhouse gas emissions in another developed country. For more information see here. top
K
Kt
Kilotonnes = 1,000 tonnes.
Kyoto Protocol
An international agreement linked to the UNFCCC and sharing its aim of stabilising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, but requiring separate ratification by governments. The Kyoto Protocol, among other things, sets binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by industrialized countries. It entered into force for ratifying countries in February 2006 and commits developed nations to collectively cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 per cent of 1990 levels by 2012. Came into force in Australia on 11 March 2008.
Kyoto Protocol Mechanisms
Three procedures established under the Kyoto Protocol to increase the flexibility and reduce the costs of making greenhouse-gas emissions cuts; they are the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI) and Emissions Trading. For more information, see here. top
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Landfill
A hole in the ground where domestic waste and waste products from industry are put and covered with soil.
Landfill Gas
The gas that is generated by the decomposition of waste in landfills.
Leakage
In relation to carbon offsets, leakage is the direct or indirect increase in GHG emissions from a greenhouse gas reduction project, which is also measurable and attributable to the project.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
LCA is the investigation and valuation of the environmental, economic and social impacts of a product or service. A product’s life cycle starts when the raw materials are extracted from the earth through to processing, transport, use, reuse, recycling or disposal. For each of these stages, the impact is measured in terms of the resources used and environmental impacts caused.
LPG
Liquefied Petroleum Gas is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases, used mostly in transport
LULUCF
A Kyoto Protocol acronym that stands for human-induced 'Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry'. Some of these activities result in greenhouse emissions and some lead to greenhouse gases being removed from the atmosphere. For example, land clearing generates greenhouse gas emissions. Planting trees can lead to greenhouse gases being absorbed from the atmosphere. top
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Methane
Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas with a GWP of 21.
Methane (from) coal
A by-product of the coal formation process. Coalmines are generally vented to ensure the safety of employees. Methane can also be captured and then flared into the atmosphere, or burnt to generate energy.
Methane (from) landfill
Decomposting matter emits a range of gases including methane. Methane emitted from landfills can be captured and then flared into the atmosphere, or burnt to generate energy
Methane (from) livestock
Certain types of animals release methane, either directly or from manure. This can be captured and then flared into the atmosphere, or burnt to generate energy.
Micro-hydro
Hydroelectric power installations that typically produce up to 100 kW of power and are often installed in small dammed pools, at the top of a waterfall or on a river.
Monoculture
The practice of producing or growing one single crop over a wide area.
MRET
Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. The Australian Government has a policy commitment of a 20 percent share for renewable energy in Australia's electricity supply by 2020. top
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National Greenhouse Accounts Factors
The National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) Factors is an Australian guide to emission factors from a range of sectors that is used by companies to calculate greenhouse gases. It is prepared by the Department of Climate Change and replaces the AGO Factors & Methods Workbook. For more information, see here.
NCAS
The National Carbon Accounting System tracks emissions (sources) and removals (sinks) of greenhouse gases from Australian land based systems. It underpins National Greenhouse Gas Inventory reporting, and provides a basis for emissions projections to assess progress towards meeting Australia's emissions target.
NCAT
The National Carbon Accounting Toolbox provides the tools for tracking greenhouse gas emissions and carbon stock changes from land use and management.
NEM
National Electricity Market. A wholesale market for the supply of electricity for most of Australia, Queensland, NSW, ACT, Victoria and South Australia.
NGAC
New South Wales Greenhouse Gas Abatement Certificate is a tradeable commodity used in the NSW GGAS. One NGAC represents the abatement of one tonne of CO2e associated with the consumption of electricity in NSW. NGACs are transferable certificates that may only be created by accredited abatement certificate providers.
NGAS
See NSW GGAS
NGERS
The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System is based on the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007, which was passed on 29 September 2007. The Act establishes a mandatory reporting system for corporate greenhouse gas emissions and energy production and consumption. The Act commences on 1 July 2008. Further information is available at: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/reporting/index.html
NGO
A non-governmental organisation.
NGPAP
National GreenPower Accreditation Program. The system used to issue GreenPower Standards.
Nitrous oxide
Agriculture accounts for the majority of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in Australia, The transport sector also contributes to emissions of N2O. N2O has a high global warming potential of about 310 times that of CO2.it breaks down very slowly – over about 120 years
Not-for-profit
In the Carbon Offset Guide not-for-profit entities must have appropriate legal status, which means that they must have a formal structure; be self-governing; be private; be non-profit-distributing; and have some meaningful degree of voluntary involvement.
NSW GGAS
New South Wales Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme commenced on 1 January 2003 and targets are set until 2012. It is one of the first mandatory greenhouse gas emissions trading schemes in the world. GGAS aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and use of electricity. For more information see here. top
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Option
In finance, an option is a contract between a buyer and a seller that gives the buyer the right—but not the obligation—to buy or to sell offsets at a later day at an agreed price. In return for granting the option, the seller collects a payment from the buyer. A call option gives the buyer the right to buy the offset / credit; a put option gives the buyer of the option the right to sell the offset / credit.
ORER
The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator is a statutory authority established to oversee the implementation of the Australian Government's mandatory renewable energy target (MRET). top
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PDD
A Project Design Document is the official application drawn up by an entity applying for project approval under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). PDDs must be validated by an independent third party, then approved and registered by the CDM Executive Board before a project qualifies as a CER carbon credit earner.
Permit
In relation to carbon offsets, a permit is a legal permission authorising the holder to emit a defined quantity of greenhouse gases. Under an ETS a permit is equivalent to one tonne of CO2e. If a company emits less greenhouse gases than authorised they can sell their permits within the trading scheme.
Perofluorocarbons (PFCs)
Most emissions of PFCs in Australia are generated during aluminium production. PFCs have extremely high global warming potentials (5000 to 10,000 times that of carbon dioxide). However, because they are only released in relatively small amounts, their contribution to global warming is minor. Due to their stability they have very long atmospheric lifetimes (thousands of years).
Photovoltaic (PV)
Photovoltaic cells are used in solar panels to convert sunlight directly into electricity.
Plan Vivo System
An offset project method for small-scale community-based LULUCF projects with a focus on promoting sustainable development and improving rural livelihoods and ecosystems. For more information, see here.
Project developer
The person or organisation that set up an offset generating project for the purpose of selling carbon offsets and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Project developer
A person or organisation with the intention to develop greenhouse emissions reductions projects.
Prompt delivery
The buyer pays the agreed price for a specific number of offsets which have already been generated and are delivered to the buyer promptly.
Put option
A put option gives the buyer of the option the right, established through a contract to sell the offset / credit. For put options, the abatement is sold at the strike price. top
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Rainforest Alliance certification
Rainforest Alliance Certification Programs cover agriculture, forestry, tourism, and community conservation enterprises. The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour. For more information, see here.
REC
Renewable Energy Certificates in Australia are issued by the Australian Government's Office of Renewable Energy Regulator. They are equivalent to one-megawatt hour of renewable electricity. RECs can be bought and sold both by electricity retailers and by other businesses in order to meet the legal requirements of MRET.
Reforestation
The reestablishment of forest on land that was previously forested but converted to another use before 31.12.1989.
Renewable resources
A natural resource qualifies as a renewable resource if it is replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable to its rate of consumption. Oxygen, fresh water, timber, and biomass can all be considered renewable resources. However they can become non-renewable resources if used at a rate greater than the environment's capacity to replenish them.
Retailer
Carbon offset retailers either fund or purchase carbon offsets in large quantities and then on sell them to individual consumers in smaller quantities.
Retire
In the context of carbon offsets, this means to remove a carbon credit or permit from the market. As a result of retirement those offsets cannot be traded any further. Retiring offsets is a means of regulating offsetting and preventing companies and individuals from selling or buying offsets that have already been used.
RFI
Radiative Forcing is the change in radiation received at the surface of the earth due to the emission of greenhouse gases. The Radiative Forcing Index calculates the impact non-CO2 emissions have on the earth in terms of CO2. RFI is usually used in relation to aviation.
RMUs
Removal Units are carbon credits that are derived from LULUCF projects in industrialised countries that absorb carbon dioxide. An RMU is equal to one metric tonne of CO2e. top
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Sequester
The uptake and storage of carbon from the atmosphere. For example trees and other plants sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, through the process of photosynthesis.
Sinks
Any process which removes a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. Major sinks include forests and other vegetation.
Spot price
The spot price or spot rate of an offset product is the price that is quoted for immediate (spot) settlement (payment and delivery) for commodity (e.g. carbon offsets). Spot settlement is normally one or two business days from trade date. This is in contrast with the forward price established in a forward contract or futures contract, where contract terms (price) are set now, but delivery and payment will occur at a future date.
Spot trades
The purchase or sale of abatement (e.g. carbon offsets) for immediate delivery. Spot trades are settled "on the spot" (usually within one or two business days), as opposed to at a set date in the future. Futures transactions that expire in the current month are also considered spot trades. Spot trades are also known as "cash trades". Spot trades are the opposite of forward contracts.
Stationary energy emissions
Includes emissions from electricity generation and from fuels consumed in the manufacturing, construction and commercial sectors, and emissions from other sources like domestic heating.
Strike price
Generally refers to a fixed price in a contract between two parties. Where the contract requires delivery of the abatement, the trade will be at the strike price, regardless of the spot price (market price) at that time. See also exercise price.
Sulphur Hexafluoride
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is a man-made chemical. The major sources of SF6 release include leakage from electrical switchgear, from magnesium smelting processes and use in semiconductor manufacture. It has by far the highest global warming potential (23,900 times that of carbon dioxide), however it is only released in relatively small amounts. Due to its st
Supply chain
A network of retailers, distributors, transporters, storage facilities, and suppliers that participate in the production, delivery, and sale of a product to the consumer.
Surrender
In an ETS, countries or businesses are allocated carbon credits or permits, usually for a designated time frame. They must then surrender one carbon credit for each tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emitted within the relevant time frame. This ensures the credits are not double-counted. top
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T
Tonne
tCO2e, MtCO2e
Tonnes of CO2e, and millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is the metric measurement unit for greenhouse gas emissions.
Trader
Carbon offset traders purchase carbon offsets in bulk from project developers with the plan to sell the offsets to consumers in smaller quantities at a higher price. top
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UNFCCC
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was established in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit and currently has 189 signatory countries. It is aimed at stabilising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. top
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VCS 2007
Is a certification standard for carbon offset projects. It provides a global standard for voluntary GHG emission reduction and removal projects and their validation and verification.
VCU
Voluntary Carbon Unit. Description of carbon offset derived from accreditation to the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) Program.
VEEC
Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates are created under the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme. One VEEC is equal to 0.1 tonnes of CO2e of energy savings, which is accredited via a certificate system. Certificates are then surrendered to the scheme administrator to achieve compliance. Retailers will need to surrender a specific amount of certificates to ensure they are meeting their responsibilities for the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
VEET
The Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) is the target within the Energy Saver Incentive, the mandatory energy efficiency target scheme in Victoria that commenced on 1 January 2009. The legislative requirement is administered by the Essential Services Commission, while compliance is placed on energy retailers through the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Act 2007.
VER
Verified Emission Reductions or Voluntary Emissions Reductions are tradable credits for greenhouse emission reduction activities generated to meet voluntary demand for carbon credits by organisations and individuals wanting to offset their own emissions. VERs can be generated from projects to which a range of circumstances might apply, including:
- are either based in a country that has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol (e.g. USA) or does not have the infrastructure to support CDM project development;
- have not yet been registered under the CDM;
- fall outside the scope of the CDM;
- are too small to warrant the costs of CDM approval;
- are specifically developed for the voluntary market.
VER+
The VER Plus (VER+) is a carbon offset standard and closely follows the Kyoto Protocol’s project-based mechanisms (CDM and JI). It does not focus on co-benefits. The VER+ standard was developed by TÜV SÜD, a Designated Operational Entity (DOE) for the validation and verification of CDM projects. It was designed for project developers who have projects that cannot be implemented under CDM yet who want to use very similar procedures as the CDM. The VER Plus was launched in mid 2007.
Voluntary Carbon Standard Program
The VCS Program includes the standard (VCS 2007) and the Program Guidelines 2007. The VCS Program provides a new global standard and criteria for validating, measuring, and monitoring voluntary carbon offset projects. For more information, see here. top
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WRI / WBCSD GHG Protocol
See GHG Protocol. top
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ZAR
South African currency, pronounced 'Rand'.