mcgrath becomes carbon managed

In our pursuit to become the world’s first carbon neutral residential real estate business McGrath has offset our total FY06/07 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by purchasing NSW Greenhouse Abatement Certificates, sourced from Forests NSW.

To measure the impact our business had on the environment during FY06/07, Carbon Planet conducted an independent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and Level One energy audit of the entire business during that time frame.

The audit revealed that selling a property through McGrath generated approximately two tonnes of CO2. All future property transactions will be offset through the purchase of two carbon credits (each credit, valued at $25, certifies that one metric tonne of CO2 has been removed from the atmosphere and stored on our behalf for 100 years).

The next steps are to implement measures to further reduce our carbon footprint and to monitor progress utilising this initial, base audit.

carbon planet

McGrath chose to partner with carbon emission consultancy Carbon Planet because it is recognised for its transparency, scientific approach and compliance with stringent international standards and protocols including:

• The World Business Council for Sustainable Development's GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standards.
• ISO14064-1 Greenhouse Gases.
• World Resources Institute Standards.
• Australian Energy Audits Standard AS/NZ 3598:2000.

Carbon Planet is also committed to sourcing carbon credits with the best collateral environmental benefits and is the only organisation currently transferring legal title of carbon credits to the purchaser. Carbon Planet is currently the only carbon management consultancy to have its operations and services certified Greenhouse Friendly™ by the Australia Government's Department of Climate Change.

audit results (FY 06/07)

The FY 06/07 audit covered all aspects of the McGrath business:

• Utilities (electricity, internet, mobile & fixed telecommunications, waste)
• Employee Services (staff hours per year)
• Third Party Services (printing, postage, couriers, hotel accommodation, flights)
• Ground Transportation (petrol, diesel, taxis)
• Equipment (advertising, paper – marketing & office, IT, office supplies)
• Energy consumption (heating, air-conditioning, ventilation, IT equipment, office equipment, lighting, kitchen amenities)

The total tonnes of CO2 or equivalent greenhouse gas emissions was calculated for FY 06/07 based on the total number of offices (and staff) operating during that period. The carbon emissions related to a property transaction was calculated by dividing this figure by the total number of property transactions for that period. The emissions attributed to the property transaction include every aspect of the business from the back end that supports the brand through to the marketing and the day to day emissions of the agents.

For a more detailed overview of the FY06/07 audit results, click here.

internal initiatives

We already have a robust recycling program. Based on the recent audit findings a reduction program is being developed and implemented to ensure emissions are kept to a minimum, whilst still being commercially viable.

The reduction plan includes reviews and improvements of recycling, lighting, equipment, internal policies and procedures, online activities, future office fit-outs and procurement. Sustainable business practices will be incorporated into the operational procedures of the business moving forward. Annual audits will be conducted using our 06/07 baseline to monitor improvements. Annual carbon emissions will be offset with carbon credits, effectively outsourcing emissions that cannot be operationally reduced due either to business processes or cost within any given financial year.

Our clients are also able to view the McGrath Magazine online.