Greenhouse Challenge Plus Cooperative Agreement: Lennard Shelf 

When our Lennard Shelf Operation heard about the Australian Federal Government’s Greenhouse Challenge Plus initiative, they were quick to join the campaign to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GHG-control is a challenge for our company, and this programme presented an opportunity to participate in a community of practice and explore innovative process efficiencies for reducing waste, saving money and optimizing energy use. Challenge participants had access to advisors, workshops and other planning tools, and qualified for a diesel fuel rebate.

The Challenge involved an agreement between Lennard Shelf and the Australian Government to create and execute appropriate, practical and cost-effective actions to reduce GHG emissions and encourage peers and external stakeholders to implement similar measures.

Using the Challenge’s specially-designed Online System for Comprehensive Activity Reporting (OSCAR ), Lennard Shelf employees tracked the progress of its Action Plan; OSCAR helped participants report GHG abatement activities while concurrently identifying opportunities for GHG savings.

The broad range of commitments and activities included:

Direct Actions

• shut down all non-essential equipment when the office is unoccupied
• install clotheslines in camp to reduce the use of dryers
• support renewable energy development (ie: tidal power in Derby)

Reduce GHG emissions from vehicles: 

• ensure that all vehicles are kept in good operating condition – maintenance on-site
• consider tidal influence in pushing barge to ship loading – use the tide to pull the barge out rather than working against the tide

Reduce GHG emissions from waste products:

• educate site personnel to minimize electricity and diesel use as part of the Environmental Management System

Influence Actions

• GHG-reduction commitments will be promoted to contractors and service providers, who will be encouraged to implement similar measures within their contract agreement

Offsets

• support construction of possible tidal power in West Kimberley

Other Offsets

• fund research into Practical Carbon Sequestration

Though initial expenditures related to Challenge participation proved significant, the Operation recognized the long-term financial benefits of increased efficiency. Not only does Lennard Shelf aim to influence external stakeholders such as suppliers, customers and subcontractors, the Operation is also considering potential spin-offs; any technology developed as a result of this initiative could have considerable resale value as global GHG restrictions are tightened.