A guide to cutting greenhouse gas

EPA Victoria has released new tips on how farms and other businesses can minimise their greenhouse gas emissions, following a draft version put out for feedback earlier this year.

The new Guidelines for Minimising Greenhouse Gas Emissions is not compulsory to follow, but provides businesses with a guide for choosing reasonable actions to cut their emissions based on their circumstances.

EPA Victoria CEO Lee Miezis says the guide provides a sensible way for businesses to cut down on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“Importantly, the guideline does not impose a rigid set of rules on farmers or other businesspeople. It focuses on taking reasonable actions based on your individual situation,” Mr Miezis said.

“Big industrial operators might calculate their greenhouse gas emissions in proportion to their scale and resources, while a family farm or other smaller business might use simpler measures of success, such as reductions in their power and gas bills.

“Showing you have introduced improved methods or new technology to reduce your use of electricity, gas or diesel would be an easy way to show a cut in your GHG emissions.”

The guide fits with the General Environmental Duty (GED), a legal obligation under the environment Protection Act 2017, requiring anyone whose activities pose risks of harm to the environment or human health to understand those risks, and take reasonable steps to minimise them.

“Just like all businesses, we must act to ensure the harm from industrial emissions – including greenhouse gases – is minimised in a meaningful and sustainable way,” Mr Miezis said.

You can download the new ‘Guideline for Minimising Greenhouse Gas Emissions’ from the EPA website at www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/publications/2048.