Climate Active is an Australian network of individuals, businesses and organisations that aim to empower Australians to take climate action now and for the future. The Climate Active network is comprised of certified members across a wide range of industries. This government-backed program enables all levels of Australian society to work together to protect the environment.  

Climate Active certification makes it easier for consumers to make a conscious decision to identify and choose certified electricity and other products that are making a difference.

Carbon offsetting is one means by which a product may become carbon neutral. 

For an electricity product, it involves taking action, including purchasing eligible carbon offset units, to cover greenhouse gas emissions associated with the generation and delivery of the product. This means you can compensate for a tonne of CO2 emitted by a product by ensuring there is one less tonne in the atmosphere. 

We purchase and retire eligible carbon offset units to cover the carbon emissions associated with the generation and delivery of electricity supplied to our customers’ household or business for those that opt-in. We also cover the carbon emitted as a result of our own business’ everyday activities, such as travel, power usage, etc.

Carbon offsets are units or ‘credits’ that represent reductions or removals of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.

An eligible carbon offset unit may be created by undertaking certain projects, which have the effect of removing greenhouse gas from the environment. Each eligible carbon offset unit represents the removal of one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2-e) from the environment.

We employ a rigorous selection process when it comes to the eligible carbon offsets we purchase. The eligible carbon offsets meet the integrity requirements under the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard to ensure they represent genuine abatement. There are many different offset methodologies; some examples include reforestation, renewable energy or energy efficiency projects that generate eligible carbon offsets. Many of these projects also provide other positive environmental or social benefits. 

We have purchased eligible carbon offset units from accredited projects, including Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) and Gold Standard Verified Emissions Reductions (GSVERs).  

You can find more information on the types of eligible carbon offsets and the projects we invest in by reading our public disclosure statement. 

Eligible carbon offset units are purchased from domestic and international carbon markets and then retired. It’s important to retire offsets to ensure that the emissions reduction they represent is not double counted. Double counting refers to the same single greenhouse gas emission reduction or removal being counted more than once to show compliance with mitigation targets (possibly across different regulations).

When you opt-in to Carbon Neutral certified electricity, you’re helping to invest in projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These projects may involve initiatives such as restoring forests, developing clean cookstove technology, fire management, updating or creating new renewable energy infrastructure such as solar and wind farms, landfill gas (methane) or carbon capture.

For small business customers, you can add Carbon Neutral to your electricity plan for $4 a week (GST incl.).

You can add Carbon Neutral to any of our business electricity plans, including our solar plans. 

Within 10 business days of opting in to Carbon Neutral.

You’ll need to contact us at 1300 307 966 to opt out. 
 

If you move premises and connect with us there, you’ll need to add Carbon Neutral at the new premises. Call us on 1300 307 966 to get set up.

No, it’ll carry over from your existing plan if you move to another Powerdirect plan (unless you move premises). 

Although contributions will start within 10 business days of opting in, they might not show on your bill for up to 6 weeks.

Think of Carbon Neutral as the same electricity that you buy today, except the key difference is we reduce and offset the emissions associated with the generation and supply of electricity delivered to your small business.

Green Energy is another green and sustainable option available for Powerdirect customers, where customers nominate a portion of their electricity consumption and we source the equivalent portion from renewable energy sources. The cost of Green Energy varies depending on the amount you choose and how much electricity you use.