Australia - Greenfleet ticked as abatement provider

Greenfleet has become the first non-profit forestry carbon offset organisation to be approved as an abatement provider under the federal government's Greenhouse Friendly initiative.

Greenfleet plants trees to help reduce and offset greenhouse gases produced by individuals and organisations.

Greenfleet chief executive Sara Gipton said Tuesday's announcement marked a significant milestone for the organisation.

"Greenfleet's accreditation involved rigorous independent verification of all aspects of our native tree planting program, including a thorough review and validation of our carbon uptake models," Ms Gipton said.

"This achievement is important to all Australians as greenhouse gas emissions, especially those produced by cars and other vehicles which use carbon-based fuels are increasing every day and are a key contributor to global warming."

To become an approved abatement provider a firm must demonstrate to the federal government that it is able to satisfy the key requirements to provide the highest quality offset.

The key requirements are, but not limited to: the abatement must be generated in Australia and be accurately measured and independently audited, while the project must show additionality and prove permanence.

Ms Gipton said a government-regulated program to oversee emission-reducing organisations' work ensured high standards were delivered.

The former chief scientist at CSIRO Atmospheric Research and member of Greenfleet's advisory council, Dr Graeme Pearman, said government approval of forest sink carbon abatement schemes were timely.

"At a time when tree planting is under scrutiny, this approval sends a clear message - tree planting is a legitimate part of the solution to climate change," Dr Pearman said.

"Forest sinks represent a highly practical way of helping to offset the carbon emissions produced by society, and these can be used to supplement positive and immediate action to avoid and reduce carbon emissions wherever possible."

There has controversy over what form carbon sinks could take and how much they could be used to offset emissions.

Forest fires and insect infestations had made forest sinks less attractive as an offsetting measure.

Ms Gipton said now that Greenfleet was approved under Greenhouse Friendly it would begin to generate approved offsets as a part of its Greenhouse Friendly planting program.