Greenfleet is Australia’s first not-for-profit forestry organisation to gain approval under the Federal Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative. Greenfleet was established in 1997 to reduce and offset greenhouse gases produced by individuals and organisations.

\Greenfleet CEO Sara Gipton said today’s announcement marks a significant milestone for the organisation, as it’s the first time a not-for-profit forestry organisation has met the strict eligibility criteria for the Greenhouse Friendly™ approval process.

“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.

“Now both individuals and organisations can take action with Greenfleet,” she said. Ms Gipton said Australians had indicated they wanted a government-regulated program to oversee emission-reducing organisations’ work to ensure high standards were delivered.

“Because the Greenhouse Friendly™ program is a Federal Government initiative, the credibility associated with approval means Greenfleet is an industry and environmental leader,” she said.

“This approval process is based on a conservative carbon model measuring only the trees themselves. This approach is well-regarded globally as it stands up well to all levels of scrutiny.”

“This approval gives significant weight to the issue of ‘additionality’, which works well for the Greenfleet offering because our planting projects go beyond business-as-usual,” she said.

Leading climate change expert Dr Graeme Pearman said Government approval of forest sink carbon abatement schemes like Greenfleet’s, were extremely 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.”

The news has also been welcomed by organisational supporters of the Greenfleet programme including AAMI’s Policy, Regulatory Affairs and Research Manager, Annabelle Butler.

“Businesses and individuals are becoming increasingly aware of the standards used to measure environmental performance and Greenhouse Friendly approval provides a degree of confidence that supporters are making a real difference in the fight against climate change,” Ms Butler said.

Ms Gipton said now that Greenfleet is approved under Greenhouse Friendly™ it will begin to generate approved offsets, as a part of its Greenhouse Friendly™ planting program.

“We know many companies, levels of government and NGOs are keen to support Greenfleet because we are not-for-profit. “These organisations want assurance their investment in the environment is going to reduce their impact: without the limitations and distractions of making a profit.

“Greenfleet exists to make a difference: not a profit. And Greenfleet is meeting the highest standards set for the industry. Ms Gipton said Greenfleet makes the act of reducing the impact of the greenhouse gases as simple as possible.

“Greenfleet encourages organisations and individuals to reduce the greenhouse gases they make and then offset or counterbalance their remaining emissions via the approved offsets that Greenfleet will generate with its forest planting program,” she said.

“Greenfleet’s forests do much more environmental good than just take carbon from the atmosphere and lock it away.

“Our biodiverse approach means we plant a wide variety of native trees as permanent forests that help to reduce salinity and soil erosion and provide essential habitat for native wildlife,” Ms Gipton said.

For more information contact log on to www.greenfleet.com.au