Carbon emissions - measurement, reporting and strategic implications

Summary

The aim of this projet was to prepare guidelines specifically tailored for the meat processing sector for assessing and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet requirements of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS). 

The project also included an assessment of the impact of method choice on GHG emissions calculations particularly as this relates to applications of NGERS methods 1 and 2 for the calculation of wastewater emissions.

Objectives

The main objectives of this project were to:

• prepare specific red meat processing industry guidelines for assessing and reporting GHG emissions
• consider the appropriateness of the various calculation methods to meet the data accuracy and confidence intervals required by the Clean Energy Regulator
• prepare three case studies to cover with/without rendering at high and low temperature
• develop an audit checklist outlining the typical information required for a reasonable assurance audit.

Key findings

• The guidelines provide clear guidance relevant to the reporting of emissions from wastewater handling, understood to be both a key emissions source and a key knowledge gap for many red meat processing corporations.
• Guidance relevant to other sources of emission, energy production and energy consumption is also included.
• Four methods exist for calculating emissions, with default calculations being most commonly used among Australian red meat processors. The provision to select a Method for the estimation of emissions allows each organisation to make its own judgment on the balance of costs of using the higher-order methods, with the benefits of potentially improved emission estimates.

Benefits to industry

Australian red meat processing businesses were provided with clear guidelines to support reporting of GHG emissions under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS). This reduced the risk of false reporting and non-compliance.  

MLA action

MLA continues to invest with AMPC in improving understanding of technologies and practices for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions from the Australian red meat industry.

Future research

No future research was identified for the guidelines, however extension of information contained in the guidelines to Australian red meat processors was identified as a clear need.