Priorities for new Emissions Reduction Fund methods announced

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has announced plans to develop new Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) methodologies (methods) aimed at creating additional opportunities to participate in future ERF auctions. Emissions reduction methods set out the rules for carrying out projects and estimating emissions reductions from proposed activities. Activities that will be considered for potential method development include those in the agriculture, energy efficiency, industrial processes, transport, vegetation and waste sectors, Mr Hunt said. Examples of activities include those that improve the energy efficiency performance of existing public buildings, schools, hospitals and retirement villages, and energy efficiency improvements to pumping systems used in operations such as food manufacturing, minerals processing and agriculture. The priorities are determined to ensure that activities offer the greatest opportunity for uptake and genuine abatement. Priority activities are identified annually to provide a forward work plan for method scoping and development. The Federal Government recently gazetted a new ERF method that allows carbon credits to be earned by upgrading fan motors in refrigeration systems or building ventilation systems.