Calculating
your footprint

Qld Government Carbon Caluclator
http://www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/get_involved/low_carbon_diet/low_carbon_diet_-_set_your_goals/carbon_calculator/calculator_form

The Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has a carbon calculator available on its website. A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gas (or carbon dioxide equivalent) that’s produced from our daily activities over a year. This carbon calculator will help you broadly calculate your carbon footprint.

To complete the calculator you will need your last four electricity bills and gas bills (if relevant). We do strongly encourage you to use your bills in the calculator so you can get an accurate representation of your current situation. Even by entering in the four bills, you might see some seasonal differences!

If you don’t have these bills handy, you can use our default figures (which represent the Queensland average) for the time being and come back later and adjust your figures.

After you have completed the carbon calculator, DERM will send you an email that will include your results and offer you some simple tips on how you can reduce you carbon emissions.

Resurgence Carbon Calculator:
http://www.resurgence.org/resources/carbon-calculator.html

• came first in an independent survey of carbon calculators on-line
• is widely recognised as the most user-friendly and accurate on-line carbon calculator
• is often the single calculator referred to in articles on carbon footprinting

You can use the full calculator to:

• Easily and accurately calculate your carbon footprint
• See which areas of your lifestyle allow the easiest CO2 savings
• Monitor your CO2 emissions from year to year
• Enjoy the feel good factor of knowing how much CO2 you have saved

This is the accurate calculator which requires your domestic energy bills and MOT certificate. If you do not have access to these, select the quick calculator: http://www.resurgence.org/resources/quickcalc.html

Carbonica Carbon Calculator:
http://www.carbonica.org/default.aspx#calc

Grants,
Rebates & Opportunities

ClimateSmart Home Service - Qld Government

The Qld Government's ClimateSmart Home Service offers households many benefits including an Energy and Water Efficiency Plan as well as access to a personalised website containing details of their household assessment and advice on saving power. For a one-off charge of $50 households receive: A household power assesment by a licensed electriction; An installed wireless power monitor; Up to 15 free power saving light globes - supplied and installed; A free water and energy efficient showerhead - suppied and installed; A customised Energy and Water Efficiency Plan; A customised online resource for further energy and water saving advice. For further information visit climatesmarthome.com or phone 133 600.

Living Greener - Information, how-to's and rebates for sustainable living
http://www.livinggreener.gov.au/rebates-assistance

Australian Government Department of Climate Change & Energy Efficiency
http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/programs-and-rebates.aspx

Programs and rebates available including:

• Green Loans
• Green Start
• Home Insulation Safety Plan
• National Solar Schools
• Renewable Energy Target
• Smart Grid Smart City
• Solar Cities
• Solar Hot Water Rebate

The Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP)

The Solar Homes and Communities Plan (formerly the Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP)) provides cash rebates for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems on homes and community use buildings. This program is administered by the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. For more information contact the national information line on 1800 808 571.

Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP)
This program provides support for increasing the use of renewable energy generation in areas that are reliant on diesel based electricity supplies.

For information about suppliers and installers of renewable energies, please consult:

• Accredited Installers List - BCSE Members
• Accredited Installers List - Non members

In Queensland, RRPGP is administered by the department. For more information contact the Queensland Government's Energy Advisory Service on 1300 369 388.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs):
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/sustainability/energy/renewable_energy_rebate_programs/renewable_energy_certificates.html

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are a form of "currency" that can be earned when you install renewable energy equipment. Some renewable energy sources that can generate RECs are:

• Solar hot water
• Photovoltaics (grid connect)
• Photovoltaics (stand-alone power supply systems)
• Wind
• Hydro

One REC represents one megawatt hour (or 1000 kilowatt hours) of electricity generated from renewable energy.

When you install renewable energy equipment you may be able to earn some money from RECs. Various companies or government bodies may be interested in buying your RECs or buying your right to create them. Some purchasers may offer cash for your RECs while others may offer discounts on products. You should read all purchase agreements and contracts carefully before signing them to ensure you understand whether they contain any arrangement regarding any RECs that you may be entitled to. It is quite legitimate for a purchase contract to include an agreement to surrender your RECs. However, you should ensure you have sufficient understanding to make an informed decision and that you are satisfied you are getting an appropriate monetary return for your RECs.

Owners of eligible small renewable generation units installed on or after 1 April 2001 can earn RECs by taking steps to create and register any RECs. This is referred to as 'claiming' them. However, if the owner does not wish to go through this process, they may transfer their right to "create" the RECs to another person, called an Agent. This must be done in writing. You should ensure that the Agent pays you a reasonable price for this right.

Further information about RECs can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator's website: http://www.orer.gov.au/recs/index.html For more information on Renewable Energy Certificates, contact: The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator on (02) 6274 2192
or visit www.orer.gov.au

Qld Solar Bonus Scheme (feed in tariff):
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/sustainability/energy/solar_bonus_scheme_feedin_tariff.html

The Queensland Government Solar Bonus Scheme is a program that pays domestic and other small energy customers for the surplus electricity generated from roof-top solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that is exported to the Queensland electricity grid. The scheme rewards customers whenever they generate more electricity than they are using - not just the balance at the end of the quarter, but whenever generation exceeds consumption during the day. For more information on the Solar Bonus Scheme please contact the Department of Mines and Energy or visit the website http://www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/solar_bonus_scheme.cfm

Qld GovernmentSolar Hot Water Rebate
http://www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/

It's never been easier or more affordable for Queenslanders to switch to solar and save with the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program. There has been an extremely positive response to be a part of the program, which offers households energy savings and cuts in harmful  greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30 per cent.

Qld Renewable Energy Plan:
http://www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/queensland_renewable_energy_plan.cfm

The Queensland Renewable Energy Plan is a comprehensive economic and industry development strategy aimed at accelerating the growth of the renewable energy sector in Queensland. The successful implementation of the Plan will help leverage up to $3.5 billion in new investment, create up to 3,500 new jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Plan is a bold industry development strategy that articulates the Australian Government's vision to achieve at least 20 per cent of investment generated through the national Renewable Energy Target. This will result in the generation of 9,000 gigawatt hours
(or approximately 2,500 megawatts) of Queensland based renewable energy by 2020.

The Queensland Government estimates that successful implementation of the Plan will help leverage up to $3.5 billion in new investment, create up to 3,500 jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40 million tonnes by 2020.

Download the Queensland Renewable Energy Plan. (PDF - 2MB)

Download the Queensland Renewable Energy Plan Fact Sheet (PDF 153Kb)

Information & Fact Sheets

WaterWise at Home
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/waterwise/

Queensland's changing climate and continued population growth are putting unprecedented pressure on our water supplies. Learn how to minimise household water use to reduce the demand on our water storages.

The Waterwise fact sheets are designed to give you a few simple tips to help incorporate water-saving principles around your home.

As local water restrictions setting consumption targets lower than those indicated in these fact sheets may apply in your area (particularly in South East Queensland), check with your local council for details.

Being waterwise in the bathroom, laundry and kitchen (PDF, 102K)*
Being waterwise with your swimming pool and spa (PDF, 107K)*
Waterwise and rainwater tanks (PDF, 222K)*
Fix the leaks and slow the flow (PDF, 73K)*
Home waterwise quiz (PDF, 195K)*
Waterwise gardens (PDF, 89K)*
How to be Waterwise brochure (PDF, 490K)* (PDF, 490 kB) *

Waterwise gardening—learn how to be water efficient in the garden.
Queensland Health (PDF)* —information on appropriate uses for, and health risks associated with, water stored in rainwater tanks.

How to be EnergyWise in the home and save on energy bills:
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/sustainability/energy/how_to_be_energywise_at_home_and_save_on_energy_bills/index.html

Saving energy in the home can be so easy! These pages show you how. At a glance you will see the typical running costs for hot water systems, refrigerators, air conditioners and other household appliances. You may be surprised how much energy some appliances use. Using less energy also means less pollution and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. So start now and save energy, help save the environment and save hundreds of dollars on your energy bills. Welcome to a typical Queensland household. Yours might not be exactly the same, but statistics indicate that this house and family, their lifestyle and type of appliances are representative of many Queensland households. Each individual household will vary, even with the same appliances and number of people. Energy consumption will also vary depending on the climate you live in.

• In the kitchen
• In the living room
• In the laundry and bathroom
• In the bedrooms
• In outdoor areas
• Hot water systems
• Summer cooling
• Cooling appliances
• Winter warmth
• Home lighting
• Appliance labelling

Energy Efficiency in the Home
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/sustainability/energy/energy_efficiency_in_the_home/index.html

Follow the links below to Information Guides that will give you advice on building or retrofitting your home to achieve year round comfort and reduce your energy bills.

• Energy Efficient Home Design
• Home Insulation (PDF)*
• Landscaping for Energy Efficiency
• Energy Saving for Windows
• Hot water system

Energy Rating Guide to Choosing an Energy Efficient Appliance (Australian Government)
http://www.energyrating.gov.au/