As the carbon offset industry develops rapidly, it is important that offset providers are held accountable and can demonstrate a robust product to consumers. 

Greenfleet's forest management practices and carbon models have been developed using the National Carbon Accounting Toolbox (NCAT), and AS 4978.1-2006:  Quantification, monitoring & reporting of greenhouse gases in forest projects - Afforestation and reforestation.

Back in 2007, Greenfleet also identified the federal government's Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative as the most appropriate accreditation scheme to demonstrate the quality of our offset program.  This initiative was fully compliant with Kyoto principles.

Greenfleet was the first not-for-profit forestry offset organisation to have its methodology approved to become an Approved Abatement Provider under the Federal Government's Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative in early 2008.

Greenhouse Friendly™ requirements for approved forest abatement included:

• Additionality - that the project would not occur through business-as-usual
• Land Clearance - that land has not been recently cleared (since 1990)
• Forest Standards - that the forests meet specified height, area and canopy cover standards
• Human Intervention - that the land must have been revegetated through human actions.

The rigorous application process investigated all aspects of Greenfleet's offset operations including:

• Forest planting
• Carbon measurement and ownership
• Forest monitoring and maintenance
• Forest permanence and ownership

Unfortunately the Federal Government has decided to cease the Greenhouse Friendly initiative as of 1 July 2010.  However, as no suitable replacement has been announced, Greenfleet will continue to use the Greenhouse Friendly standard as a guide, as an interim measure. Find out more.