Pangolin newsletter August 2015

News stories

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Demand grows for new assurance service

Measurement and Verification (M&V)

Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) - Dr Davide Ross
Certified Measurement and Verification Professional – Dr Davide Ross

Changing government policies and new regulations for measuring and verifying emissions means our newest service, M&V, is in demand.

This year Pangolin’s Dr Davide Ross received accreditation as a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP). Davide leads our scientific team in global best practice as defined by the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP).

M&V covers a wide range of sustainability and efficiency projects that can help any organisation. An RSL, for instance, sought assurance on cost savings through an energy efficient lighting installation, and an HVAC upgrade. The Federal Government required such assurance to approve final payment of the club’s Community Energy Efficiency (CEEP) grant.

Similarly, BallTech, providers of tube cleaning systems for condensers and heat exchangers, needed M&V for funding a series of case studies. The case studies demonstrated savings through BallTech’s energy efficient chiller technology. See our recently published case review.

M&V part of government funding – ERF and ESS

Generally speaking, M&V provides assurance to our clients that equipment is indeed improving energy efficiency, and reducing their environmental footprint. It assures that all is on track as planned and budgeted. The assurance is a means to additional financial benefits, such as the RSL’s CEEP grant, but it is also a component of government support schemes, namely the Federal Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), and the State of NSW’s Energy Savings Scheme (ESS).

Talk to us about your requirements for the ERF and ESS.

News for planned ERF and ESS projects

ERF: The Federal Government’s second auction for Emissions Reduction Fund projects takes place on the 4 and 5 November 2015. New projects must be submitted in full by 18 September 2015. Under the Industrial electricity and fuel efficiency methodology ACCUs can be generated using M&V.

ESS: For organisations planning to participate in the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, M&V is a means to generate Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs) under the Project Impact Assessment with Measurement and Verification (PIAM&V) methodology.

Governments seek our expertise

Pangolin assigned to government-funded projects

We are proud to announce that recently Federal and NSW Governments have sought Pangolin Associates for expertise panels.

Clean Energy Regulator and the Department of the Environment

Pangolin Associates field work in Western Australia
Pangolin working in the field

The Federal Government appointed our auditors to both Clean Energy Regulator (CER) and the Department of the Environment panels. The result has been demand for our specialised services in the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFLOU) sector. This includes those participating in the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).

Through CER, we also have a greater number of audits for corporations under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting act (NGER), particularly in manufacturing and tertiary education sectors.

NSW Government’s Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH)

Energy Audit grants – check your eligibility

As part of its state-wide Energy Efficiency Action Plan, the NSW Government provides  substantial funding for energy audits in certain sectors. Pangolin Associates is one of the selected firms for the NSW Energy Efficiency Professional Services Contract for Energy Audits through the OEH.

NSW target: reduce energy consumption by 16,000 GWh by 2020

Helping NSW businesses reduce energy consumption is key to reaching the government’s 2020 target. Pangolin will work with the government to identify appropriate sites for the energy efficiency grants. We will then deliver Energy Audits to the ANZ 3598:2014 standard, and specific government requirements.

Australian cosmetic brand, Jurlique, using carbon software

Jurlique: CarbonView is key to reaching ambitious goals in 2015

Jurlique International - sustainability program includes recycling containersHow many cosmetic brands operate a certified biodynamic farm? Australian natural skincare company, Jurlique, has an inspiring sustainability story. Jurlique’s environmental initiatives include diversion of +90% of waste, solar photovoltaics at both the factory and farm, and a commitment to ISO 14001-aligned manufacturing processes.

These are just a few of their many sustainability initiatives, so it was imperative that Jurlique had a reliable, in house carbon monitoring system. To that end, Pangolin equipped Jurlique with CarbonView software to fully track, and understand the impact of the company’s sustainability policies and actions. The easy to use reporting tool means Jurlique more accurately, and so more cost effectively, can reduce their impact on the environment.

While Jurlique is a multi-national, multi-outlet company, CarbonView works for any organisation, large or small. Jurlique’s Environmental Officer, Yoshie Obara, points out key benefits: CarbonView’s ability to customise data collection to the company, and to track numerous items, e.g.:

  • Energy consumption across any number of offices, stores and warehouses,
  • Water usage and waste,
  • Fuel for company cars and warehouse forklifts,
  • Flights.

Jurlique International is set to reduce electricity, waste and water by 20% by the end of 2015 (from base year 2010). Yoshie says without CarbonView software the company would not be able to effectively track progress on this ambitious goal.

Good on you, clients

So many of our clients are working hard to save costs through implementing energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures. We’d like to say good on you. Here’s just a few.

Griffith University: MBA action a first in Australia

Griffith University QLDGriffith’s MBA team is serious about climate change and the program’s own environmental footprint. This is the first MBA in Australia to measure and offset emissions.

Pangolin provided a 12-month Greenhouse Gas Assessment of the program (FY 2012-2013), identifying utilities, and particularly electricity, as the greatest source of emissions ongoing. The university offset these with carbon credits: a bundled wind project in India, a small scale hydropower project in China, and a gas recovery project in Indonesia. The choices align well with the MBA Program’s focus on the Asia Pacific.

Pangolin auditors are currently assessing FY 2013/14.

Sydney Opera House – VIVID: creating a green event

In collaboration with our partner, Climate Friendly, we’ve helped the Sydney Opera House measure ‘VIVID’s’ carbon footprint. Pangolin provided the verification services for VIVID’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Opera House then offset the emissions with certified carbon credits.

Allens Linklaters: another first – this time the Australian legal sector

Carbon neutral certification logo under NCOS (National Carbon Offset Standard).In FY 2014/15 Allens Linklaters became the first major Australian law firm to become certified carbon neutral. A longstanding client, we were proud to help them through the rigorous National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) processes. Allens’ NCOS accreditation covers them nationally with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Aviation carbon services growing

Feel even better about travelling the world!

Pangolin Associates provides Airport Carbon Accreditation services (logo)Interest in the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), the only institutional carbon program for airports, continues to grow. ACA is a standard set by the Airport Council International (ACI) tailored to the aviation industry.

The program consists of four stages, the end game

for an airport being net zero emissions, or carbon neutrality, achieved through internationally approved methodologies. Our accredited verifier, Dr Sam Phua, has now taken five airports through several stages. Feel good about travelling through these terminals!

  •  Brisbane Airport (BNE) has achieved Level 1, we are currently assisting with Level 3,
  • Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) was our first airport client, and the first in Australia to achieve Level 2,
  • Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) has achieved Level 2.

A bit of good news about our namesake

Vietnam releases poached pangolins back to the wild

Endangered pangolinWe like to keep track and support our namesake, the pangolin.

While the illegal poaching and trading of these creatures continues at an alarming rate, we’re pleased to tell you about some encouraging developments. Save Vietnam’s Wildlife has rescued and released the largest number of pangolins in the country’s history. Further, three babies were born at the organisation’s centre – babies of rescued mothers.