The recent concerns raised about the government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme allowing private Green Power use to offset industry carbon production during the first five years of the scheme is a unacceptable.  It is nonsense that consumers, who are paying a voluntary premium to reduce their environmental and carbon foot print, will be subsidising the ongoing pollution of corporate and industry players under the scheme. Business produces a large proportion of the world’s carbon and environmental foot print and has a generally greater financial, technical and logistical capacity to address the issue than do individuals. Business should progressively be shaping the future for individuals by making environmentally sustainable and commercially responsible decisions.

Eco Sanctuaries which owns Flour Cask Bay Sanctuary is only a small player but purchases 100% solar generated green power for grid based parts of its business under the belief that this will enhance the progress of solar development and investment while reducing our overall impact on the environment. It is also an important component of our sustainability aspirations. We also generate our own 100% solar power for off grid accommodation. In addition the business supports purchase and restoration of endangered species habitat to ensure the business not only offsets any other carbon production but utilises the carbon generation to deliver multiple outcomes for the environment and community. We all need to contribute to make a difference and Eco Sanctuaries’ additional efforts  should not be needlessly squandered by others.

If you want your existing efforts to count or feel strongly about the efforts of individuals in changing the shape of our carbon foot print and environmental impact, then register a comment or let your federal member, the Minister for   Environment and the Minister for Climate Change know that your individual or business contribution should be counted and certainly should not be available to offset those who are not pulling their weight.