The Low Carbon Marina Initiative was launched yesterday at the Australian Marine Innovation Conference on the Gold Coast. Keynote speaker Senator The Hon Kim Carr, Australian Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research said, 'Climate change is pressing to our marine industry. The Low Carbon Marina Initiative to be launched today is one example of how the marina industry is responding to this challenge.'The initiative is part of the Marina Industries Association of Australia (MIAA) vision to be a leader in marina environmental programs. MIAA has set a goal of a 20% reduction in the operational carbon footprint of Australian marinas by 2015.
MIAA has partnered with the Carbon Reduction Institute to develop and manage the Low Carbon Marina Initiative. The initiative provides a simple certification system to enhance the sustainability of marinas and related businesses. It allows for participation at varying levels of carbon reduction. Participating businesses go through a three step process. Firstly there is an assessment of the carbon footprint; then development of strategies to reduce carbon emissions and finally the offsetting of unavoidable carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits.
The initiative provides marina and related operators with real cost savings and marketing benefits at a time of rapidly growing consumer awareness of the need to act on global warming.
As part of the development and lead up to the launch marinas, in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland are already participating in the Carbon Marina Initiative. Bellingham Marine and Superior Jetties are also participating and MIAA expect over 40 businesses will be involved in the initiative within eight months.
About Low Carbon Marina Initiative
The Low Carbon Marina Initiative is a national, voluntary certification programme for marinas, yacht clubs, boat clubs, slipways and other associated industry operators across Australia.
Marinas participating in this programme reduce the impact their operations have on the environment while gaining the ability to promote their marina as one that is part of the solution for climate change. This helps attract new customers and prepares the marina industry for future legislations on climate change.
There are many more benefits involved in becoming a carbon neutral certified marina:
- Improves the marina’s public image and increases patronage
- Provides expert advice on the sustainability of renewable energy, energy efficiency and waste management onsite a marina
- Demonstrates leadership and commitment to EPA objectives
- Delivers cost savings and increases sustainability of the operations
- Decreases the impact on the environment and helps protect marine life
- As operator of a Low Carbon or Carbon Neutral Marina, the marina will benefit from using the Low Carbon Marina Initiative logos, flags and materials. This programme will be promoted across Australia.
This article was taken from Sail World.
