National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Amendments for FY15/16

Amendments to two key pieces of National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) legislation have been made that will affect reporting procedures for the FY15/16 reporting year.

The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Amendment Determination 2015 (No. 1) and National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Amendment (2015 Measures No. 1) Regulation 2015 see a number of changes to the NGER reporting process.

Of critical importance is the change to the Global Warming Potential to Methane, which will increase from 21 tCO2-e to 25 tCO2-e. A common reportable substance in the solid waste and waste water sectors this will lead to a significant impact on emission profiles for businesses reporting in these sectors. The Global Warming Potentials, furthermore, for each NGER reportable greenhouse gas have been updated. Table 1 details each change.

Table 1. GWP FY14/15 & FY15/16

ItemGreenhouse gasChemical formulaGlobal Warming Potential (GWP) FY14/15Global Warming Potential (GWP) FY15/16
1Carbon dioxideCO211
2MethaneCH42125
3Nitrous oxideN2O310298
4Sulphur hexafluorideSF623 90022 800
5HFC‑23CHF311 70014 800
6HFC‑32CH2F2650675
7HFC‑41CH3F15092
8HFC‑43‑10meeC5H2F101 3001 640
9HFC‑125C2HF52 8003 500
10HFC‑134C2H2F4(CHF2CHF2)1 0001 100
11HFC‑134aC2H2F4(CH2FCF3)1 3001 430
12HFC‑143C2H3F3(CHF2CH2F)300353
13HFC‑143aC2H3F3(CF3CH3)3 8004 470
14HFC‑152aC2H4F2(CH3CHF2)140124
15HFC‑227eaC3HF72 9003 220
16HFC‑236faC3H2F66 3009 810
17HFC‑245caC3H3F5560693
18Perfluoromethane (tetrafluoromethane)CF46 5007 390
19Perfluoroethane (hexafluoroethane)C2F69 20012 200
20PerfluoropropaneC3F87 0008 830
21PerfluorobutaneC4F107 0008 860
22Perfluorocyclobutanec‑C4F88 70010 300
23PerfluoropentaneC5F127 5009 160
24PerfluorohexaneC6F147 4009 300

We expect that all changes to emission factors will be incorporated into EERS. Reporters likely to be affected should incorporate the updated emissions factors into their calculations processes for continuous monitoring purposes.

Further changes are also detailed, in particular the annual updates to emission factors associated with electricity consumption. The changes for the Measurement Determination are detailed here and the Regulation are detailed here.

Both amendments do not apply for the FY14/15 reporting year.

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About The Author

Matt established Ndevr’s Environmental Consulting division in May 2010 after a career with the Australian Government working on high profile carbon and energy policy reform and implementation. Since 2010, the Melbourne based Environmental Consulting team has grown to a strong national team of policy, legal, engineering and IT professionals specialising in the carbon and energy space. As a professional consultant Matt has provided strategic carbon emissions and energy advice for some of Australia’s largest and most well-respected corporations. Matt also works closely with industry associations and government to analyse and advise on the impacts of carbon and energy legislation. He is one of Australia’s most experienced and highly accredited Registered Greenhouse and Energy Auditors (RGEAs), with Category 1 (Technical and Non-technical), CFI (Technical), Category 2 and Category 3 accreditation from the Australian Government. Matt's RGEA accreditation can be found here. Matt holds a degree in Commerce, a Diploma in Government and is currently completing a Graduate Diploma in Environment, Resource and Energy Law at Melbourne University and guest lectures for Monash University (Carbon Management programs). m: 0406 757 289

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