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Our commitment is to undertake projects, or to purchase commitment from
others who undertake projects that off-set greenhouse gas emissions, are
additional to and go beyond business as usual programs, and all are independently
verified.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the projects we’re committed
to:
Yellowbank
In December 2001, Origin implemented an innovative project to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by installing advanced flaring technology at our Yellowbank
gas processing facility in the Denison Trough, western Queensland.
The application of advanced flaring technology, and the burning of waste
gas, means that harmful methane is unable to escape into the atmosphere.
Best of all, the local environment, and those working on the site, benefit
from cleaner air.
Tree planting
Planting trees is a natural process that can be used to reduce the amount
of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Under the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement
Scheme, we access carbon reduction credits created from the reforestation
of Oil Mallee Eucalypt trees on Kyoto compliant agricultural land in NSW.
Oil Mallee trees have unique characteristics making them ideal for sequestration.
Their roots are very thick like a turnip or a carrot, where they store
the plant's food (which is mainly carbon based).
But unlike a carrot if the top part of the tree (trunk, branches, leaves)
is damaged, say from fire or harvesting, the tree grows back. This process
is known as coppicing.
We purchase carbon credits created by this program.
Creating Energy Efficient Advocates
In 2005, Origin embarked on a challenge to give away 1 million energy efficient
light globes to residents in NSW. By installing these globes, greenhouse
gas emissions and electricity bills are reduced.
This year, we have
added water saving showerheads to the program and expanded the give away
to residents in South Australia and Victoria. So far we’ve given
away over 1.5 million light globes and 75,000 showerheads.
Composting West Aussie Waste
By collecting general household waste, recyclable materials, bulk waste
and green waste from residents in seven local councils in Western Australia,
and using an advanced waste collection system, municipal solid waste is
diverted from landfill and converts organic component to compost. By using
this system our environment benefits with:
- significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- the virtual elimination of leachate and other contaminants
- improvement to the soils of the swan coastal plain
- conditioners; and
- reduced water consumption and artificial fertiliser usage of composts/soil
conditioners.
We purchase carbon credits created by this program.
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