Carbon offsetting is one means by which a product may become carbon neutral. Going carbon neutral means taking action to reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide in the atmosphere), so that the net emissions associated with an activity are equal to zero.
Offsetting gas and electricity
For an electricity product, it involves purchasing the number of eligible carbon offset units that represent an equivalent amount of greenhouse gas emissions to the emissions associated with the generation and delivery of the product. For a gas product, it also involves purchasing units equivalent to the emissions associated with use of the product. This means you compensate for every tonne of CO2 emitted by a product by ensuring there is one less tonne in the atmosphere.
For those that opt-in, we purchase and retire eligible carbon offset units to cover the carbon emissions associated with the generation, delivery and use of gas, and the generation and delivery of electricity supplied to our customers' household or business. We also cover the carbon emitted as a result of our own business’ everyday activities, such as travel, power usage, etc.
Offsetting commercial solar and energy efficiency products
When you buy a carbon neutral commercial solar, battery or energy efficiency product from us, we'll purchase and retire carbon offsets to cover the emissions created from the supply and lifecycle of the physical product. This includes emissions from activities like manufacturing processes, freight, installation, AGL’s retail operations associated with offering the product and disposing of it at the end of its useful life.