A
Australian carbon credit unit
A tradeable financial product issued to individuals or businesses who run eligible projects that reduce or avoid emissions. Each unit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent that would have otherwise been released into the atmosphere.
Area-based project
A type of Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions or enhancing carbon sequestration through activities conducted over a specific geographic area or land.
C
Carbon stock
The carbon that remains stored in trees while they grow.
Controlling corporation
An entity that must register and report under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.
Covered emissions
Emissions covered by the Safeguard Mechanism.
Crediting period
The period of time that a project can apply to claim Australian carbon credit units.
D
Deeming period
The estimated amount of electricity a small-scale solar power system or small-scale wind or hydro system generates, or the electricity a solar water heater or heat pump displaces.
Designated generation facility
A facility whose principal activity is electricity production.
E
Emissions-intensive trade-exposed activities
Activities that produce a high amount of greenhouse gas emissions while being exposed to international trade competition.
Exemption certificate
A certificate issued to entities who conduct eligible emissions-intensive trade-exposed activities. The entity can use the certificate to negotiate benefits (such as lower electricity costs) with their electricity retailer.
L
Large-scale generation certificate
A tradeable certificate created by power stations who generate electricity from renewable sources. Each certificate represents one megawatt hour of renewable energy generation.
Liable entity
A person or company who makes a relevant acquisition of electricity, and is required to surrender a specified number of large-scale generation certificates and small-scale technology certificates.
K
Kyoto ACCUs
Australian carbon credit units issued to an eligible Kyoto ACCU Scheme project with a reporting period ending on or before the Kyoto abatement deadline.
N
Non-covered emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions not covered by the Safeguard Mechanism.
Non-Kyoto ACCUs
Australian carbon credit units issued to an eligible non-Kyoto ACCU Scheme project with a reporting period ending after the Kyoto abatement deadline.
P
Permanence period
A length of time that a sequestration project must maintain carbon stores.
R
Registered agent
A retailer, trader or installer registered with us to claim the small-scale technology certificates for small-scale systems they've helped individuals and small businesses install.
Registered person
A person who can create renewable energy certificates, apply for accreditation of a power station, or apply to be an agent.
Regulated emissions limit
The total Safeguard Mechanism emissions budget that safeguard facilities must stay within for Australia to meet its climate targets.
Renewable power percentage
The basis for calculating the number of large-scale generation certificates that a liable entity must surrender in a given year.
Responsible emitter
The person with operational control of a safeguard facility and who is responsible for meeting safeguard requirements.
S
Safeguard Mechanism credit unit
A tradeable credit issued to safeguard facilities that reduce their emissions below their baselines. Each credit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions below a facility's baseline.
Safeguard threshold
Safeguard covered emissions at a facility of 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent or more in a year.
Sequestration
The removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by capturing and storing it in vegetation and soil.
Small generation unit
An eligible small-scale system that generates electricity from renewable energy sources, including solar PV systems, wind turbines and hydro systems.
Small-scale technology certificate
A tradeable certificate created by the owner of a small-scale system, or their agent, for the generation of renewable electricity by that system. Each certificate represents one megawatt hour of renewable energy generation.
Small-scale technology percentage
The basis for calculating the number of small-scale technology certificates that a liable entity must surrender in a given year.
Surrender
The act of returning renewable energy certificates or carbon credits to the Clean Energy Regulator, which removes them from the certificate market. This may be mandatory surrender to comply with liabilities and obligations or voluntary surrender for any reason.