Australian accredited carbon accounting course introduced

In response to the community's growing awareness of climate change, Swinburne University of Technology has introduced what is claimed to be Australia's first accredited course in carbon accounting.

Developed and delivered by the university's National Centre for Sustainability (NCS), the three-day course teaches participants how to identify and categorise carbon emissions, produce a carbon inventory and develop a carbon report.

According to NCS project manager Frank Mitchell, there is a strong demand for this kind of course amongst businesses and the community.

The carbon accounting course is designed for business owners, consultants and people in policy positions within government departments.

"It is ideal for people who want to gain specialised knowledge and skills in calculating greenhouse gas emissions in a business context; and people with roles in industry or government who will be required to up-skill in the area of climate change and carbon trading," said Mitchell.

As part of the course participants will assess carbon emissions generated by their own workplace, to come up with an overall greenhouse score for their organisation.

"Once businesses can effectively assess their position when it comes to carbon emissions, they will be able to inform business strategies for sustainability," Mitchell said.

Development of Swinburne's carbon accounting course was guided by a steering committee that included representatives from Sustainability Victoria, the Environmental Protection Authority and local councils.