Water industry guidelines for reporting under the Australian greenhouse and energy reporting system

This paper summarises the greenhouse gas (GHG) and energy reporting guidelines developed in 2011 for the Australian urban water/wastewater industry, for reporting under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System. This project represents the first comprehensive, industry-specific set of guidelines for reporting GHG and energy inventories in Australia and one of the first internationally. It provides an excellent point of reference for Australian water businesses, but also offers an example of ‘best practice’ for water businesses in other countries that are similarly grappling with issues of energy/GHG accounting and resultant carbon price liabilities. From 1 July 2012, the Australian Government implemented a carbon pricing regime (approx. USD23 per tonne CO2-e) that includes coverage of Scope 1 emissions from wastewater treatment plants. This is the only scheme known worldwide to include wastewater treatment plants. These Guidelines have provided invaluable guidance to Australian water businesses in determining their financial carbon liabilities.