The MOU was signed in Dandaragan on Thursday 3 December and sets out the working relationship between the environmental consultancy Global Scene and the MFA, a farmer-owned tree grower co-operative. The MFA will act as Global Scene’s Carbon Pool Manager for carbon offsetting in Western Australia for the next 25 years.

At the historic meeting Global Scene’s Managing Director, Kelvin Wiggins, explained the process for companies wanting to minimise their greenhouse gas emissions and operate in a more sustainable way.

“The first step is a full audit of the client company’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions to establish a baseline for future comparison,” he said. “This is followed by the development and implementation of strategies to minimise that company’s emissions wherever possible while harnessing all available cost saving opportunities. Finally, once all emissions reduction opportunities have been explored and implemented, the company can offset any residual emissions through the purchase of carbon offsets such as those generated from reforestation or renewable energy projects.”

According to Mr Wiggins, an increasing number of companies are seeing the practical and holistic benefits of making a commitment to voluntarily reduce their emissions to become carbon neutral. He said Global Scene is now seeing this idea become an integral part of the corporate strategy of many businesses.

Mr Gardiner said he was extremely excited by the milestone meeting which he said illustrated not just an acknowledgement in regional Western Australia of climate change but an understanding that being environmentally conscious need not spell the end of profitability but can lead to innovation and new productivity.

“Often the improved operating efficiencies that form part of an emissions reduction strategy create cost savings that cover the cost of the offsetting exercise,” he said. “Put simply, carbon offsetting need not mean less profit.”

The MFA will establish a Western Australian carbon pool, initially from their tree growing members, before expanding to non-members in order to meet what is expected to be a burgeoning need. Carbon offset certificates generated from the pool will be sold by Global Scene to the industrial and commercial market, allowing purchasers to potentially become carbon neutral.

Richard Notley, the Chairperson of the MFA, acknowledged the support of Mr Gardiner’s office in reaching this agreement.

“This opportunity was first identified by Philip’s electorate officer, Phil Bellamy, who was so impressed with the potential benefits that he encouraged the Member to become involved,” he said.

“The opportunity to farmers with trees generated by joining a carbon pool is to receive an income from tree planting on agricultural land that was cleared as at 1 January 1990 and is Kyoto Protocol-compliant.

Mr Notley said many farmers have already planted significant areas of trees for land care reasons and carbon pooling creates a way to generate income from this land. Farmers who would like further information can contact Mr Gardiner’s office or Norm Skoglund at the Central Coast Small Business Centre on 9655 1068.